SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The grimy details of a massive Nigerian fraud scheme have been laid bare as Lisa Kaye Barwick-Majeski, 54, of St. Robert, pleaded guilty to leading the conspiracy that conned victims across America out of millions.
The ringleader, Barwick-Majeski, and her co-conspirator Cheryl Barber, 41, also from St. Robert, tricked thousands into cashing counterfeit money orders and cashier’s checks worth up to $3 million. The victims were lured into believing they were part of a ‘secret shopper’ program.
Under the plea agreement, Barwick-Majeski must fork over $3 million in restitution to her victims and forfeit $1.485 million to the government. Her co-defendant, Barber, who also admitted to her role in the scheme, must pay restitution to her victims as well.
The court documents revealed that law enforcement seized more than $1.7 million worth of counterfeit postal money orders, including 354 counterfeit BMO-Harris Bank cashier’s checks with a total face value exceeding $1 million, and over $400,000 in counterfeit Mid Missouri Credit Union cashier’s checks.
Both Barwick-Majeski and Barber face up to 20 years in federal prison without parole and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing hearings are set to follow presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office.
This case has been prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Abram McGull, II, and investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the St. Robert, Mo., Police Department.
Related Federal Cases
- St. Robert Woman Sentenced for $3M Nigerian Fraud Scheme · Missouri
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- Mario Antoine Indicted in Pornography Fraud Scheme · Kansas
- Adam Bernaix Gets 37 Months for $350K Fraud Scheme · Illinois
- Charles Hicks Pleads Guilty to $370K Mail Fraud Scheme · Missouri
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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