GRAND RAPIDS – A Florida resident has admitted her guilt in a federal court for her involvement in a multi-state fraud conspiracy that drained over $3 million from unsuspecting victims. Danielle Diarbakerly, 38, faces up to 20 years in prison and significant fines for her role as a money launderer in the scheme.
Diarbakerly was indicted by a grand jury earlier this year on charges of participating in a conspiracy that defrauded people across the United States, including Michigan residents. She is accused of laundering proceeds from fraudulent transactions, some involving lottery scams where victims were convinced they had won substantial prizes and were told to pay taxes and fees to claim their winnings.
The scheme, which ran from January 2020 to September 2024, involved sending money to shell companies created by Diarbakerly. She then transferred the funds to other shell companies or conspirators she controlled, all while knowing the proceeds were fraudulent.
“Every day, fraudsters attempt to steal money earned by hardworking Americans and vulnerable retirees,” said U.S. Attorney Tim VerHey. “Federal law enforcement is relentless in pursuing those responsible for such crimes.”
Jared Murphey, acting Special Agent in Charge of ICE HSI Detroit, emphasized the importance of community vigilance. “Thankfully, our agents and prosecutors are committed to tracking down these culprits,” he said.
Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Detroit Field Office, highlighted the impact on victims. “Schemes like this drain bank accounts and steal the security of victims across the country,” she stated. “IRS Criminal Investigation is dedicated to protecting taxpayers from such crimes.”
Homeland Security Investigations and IRS Criminal Investigation continue their investigation into the matter.
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Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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