Related Federal Cases
- KC Woman Pleads Guilty to $240,000 Email Fraud Scheme · Kansas
- Wichita Attorney Najim Pleads Guilty in $8M Cigarette Smuggling Scheme · Kansas
- $1.5M Extortion Scheme: Cybersecurity Consultant’s Scheme Exposed · Kansas
- 23andMe Faces Legal Fire for Genetic Data Sale · Washington
- 23andMe Faces Lawsuit for Selling Genetic Data · Washington
Local Woman’s Descent into Deceit
Brianna S. Graves, a 30-year-old Kansas City resident, has pleaded guilty to laundering over $240,000 in a brazen email compromise scheme that targeted a New York business.
According to court documents, Graves received a payment of $240,926 from ETS Contracting, Inc., based in Brooklyn, New York, after convincing the company to wire the funds to a J.P. Morgan Chase Bank account in her name.
The scheme, which dates back to December 2022, began with a phishing email that manipulated ETS Contracting into sending the payment to Graves’s account. She then used the funds to finance a lavish lifestyle, complete with car payments, vacations, cruises, and airfare, as well as a penchant for gambling.
On June 26, 2023, federal agents executed a warrant and seized $41,574 from Graves’s bank account, a paltry sum compared to the $240,000 she had laundered.
As part of her plea agreement, Graves must pay $240,926 in restitution and forfeit the same amount to the government. Under federal statutes, she faces a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
The case has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the ease with which scammers can exploit unsuspecting businesses. “This case is a stark reminder of the dangers of email compromise schemes and the importance of vigilance in protecting our financial information,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the New York City Police Department, with Graves facing a sentencing hearing after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
As the city grapples with the fallout from this brazen scheme, one thing is clear: justice will be served, and Graves will face the consequences of her actions.
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
