A Wheeling man has been indicted for allegedly defrauding a woman he met online out of $96,000, federal authorities announced.
Eugene Robert LeClear, 52, of Wheeling, was charged with five counts of wire fraud in connection with the romance scam, which occurred in 2022. According to court documents, LeClear began an online relationship with the victim and then began requesting money from her under false pretenses.
LeClear allegedly told the victim he needed money to pay for medical expenses and to post bond in a criminal action, among other false claims. He promised to reimburse the victim and falsely represented that he had access to millions of dollars from gambling winnings and prior criminal activity.
The victim lost approximately $96,000 from the scheme, which began in 2022. LeClear faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each count of wire fraud if convicted.
“Romance scammers are expert manipulators who develop relationships that feel very real,” said U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld.
“Victims are understandably reluctant to come forward because they are embarrassed, but we hope they still will so that action can be taken to prevent others from being harmed.”
LeClear was charged with five counts of wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each count. If convicted, a federal district court judge would determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
If you have any information you wish to report regarding LeClear, please contact the FBI via email at wvfraud@fbi.gov.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Cybercrime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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