Kaylah Walton
A Florida resident has been taken into custody for impersonating billionaire Elon Musk and swindling a 74-year-old woman from Texas out of nearly $600,000.
Jeffrey Moynihan Jr., aged 56, struck up a “friendship” with the victim on Facebook in 2023, where he attempted to persuade her to invest in fictitious companies, promising outrageous returns of as much as $55 million.
Authorities in Frisco, Texas, alerted the police in Bradenton, located around 45 miles south of Tampa, after uncovering the scam.
The victim transferred up to $250,000 into various accounts associated with Moynihan’s painting business, mistakenly believing they belonged to Elon Musk.
The woman’s husband, who remains unnamed, reported that the total losses amounted to $600,000, prompting ongoing investigations to track down the remaining funds.
Moynihan was arrested by the Bradenton Police Department’s Elder Fraud Unit and faces serious charges, including grand theft and identity theft.
He is also charged with wire fraud and money laundering.
Upon realizing she had been victimized, the woman reported the fraud to the FBI in April 2024, leading to an investigation.
Moynihan’s arrest took place on November 19 at his residence, and authorities noted that the actual Elon Musk was involved in launching SpaceX.
Fraudulent Scheme Details
Initial investigations disclosed that Moynihan had created a fraudulent profile featuring Musk’s name and images on Facebook in 2023, which initiated his connection with the elderly woman.
Jim Curulla, a detective with the Bradenton police, was informed by Frisco authorities, who were probing a fraud case involving someone impersonating the Tesla CEO after a woman reported significant monetary losses.
“The victim believed she had invested in Elon Musk’s ventures and was expecting a $55 million return,” law enforcement stated.
The investigation continues as Frisco officials strive to follow the trail of the remaining funds. They also disclosed that Moynihan skillfully devised the scam and gained the woman’s trust by sharing posts about actual events involving Elon Musk, making the interactions appear credible.
