Gaithersburg, MD – Two brothers from the suburbs of Washington D.C. are accused of playing a key role in a cold-hearted, $5 million international romance scheme that preyed on the lonely and vulnerable. David Annor, age 27, and Lesley Annor, age 22, both of Gaithersburg, Maryland, were arrested November 16, 2020, and now face federal money laundering charges.
The Annors allegedly acted as the money mules for a wider conspiracy that lured victims – many of them elderly and isolated – into online “romances” before bleeding them dry with fabricated stories and promises of future meetings. Con artists, communicating through dating websites, social media, email, and messaging apps, convinced victims to send funds with the false hope of a real-life connection. The scheme has reportedly impacted around 200 victims across the U.S. and overseas, ranging in age from 38 to 83.
According to federal investigators, the Annors weren’t crafting the lies, but they were crucial in concealing the stolen money. David Annor registered a shell company in Maryland, Ravid Enterprise LLC, claiming it was a car sales business operating out of his Gaithersburg apartment. This was a fiction. Between May 2017 and September 2020, the brothers opened or maintained bank accounts at ten different financial institutions – including accounts under the Ravid Enterprise name – specifically to funnel the fraudulently obtained funds. The scheme allegedly brought in over $5 million.
U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur minced no words when describing the operation. “The deceit used to steal from these victims was heartless,” he stated. The criminal complaint details how the co-conspirators directed victims to send cashier’s checks or wire transfers to accounts controlled by the Annors or another accomplice. Eight victims named in the complaint each lost a staggering amount, ranging from $17,500 to $201,000. This isn’t just about money; it’s about destroying lives.
The investigation was a joint effort between the U.S. Secret Service, the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. Authorities are urging anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a similar romance scam to contact the Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311). The feds are promising to continue their efforts to bring these predatory fraudsters to justice.
The charges against David Annor, age 27, and Lesley Annor, age 22, are for money laundering. If convicted, they face significant prison time and financial penalties. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges or arrests as they work to dismantle the entire romance scheme network.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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