A Wills Point woman has been sentenced to federal prison for defrauding an elderly man in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Lisa Lynn Smith, 62, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant.
According to information presented in court, Smith carried out a scheme to defraud an elderly Plano man by telling him lies about urgent personal and family expenses that she was facing. Smith also convinced the victim that she was going to receive a lawsuit settlement for over $2.5 million, and that she would use the money to pay the victim back for the money that he was giving to her.
The victim would provide funds to Smith by various means including allowing Smith access to a credit card, which she used for various purposes such as repeatedly renting cars for her family members. In fact, Smith’s lawsuit paid nothing close to this amount and Smith was using the money for personal and family expenses that she did not disclose to the victim.
As a result of Smith’s actions, the victim suffered a significant financial loss of $47,236.94. Smith was ordered to pay restitution to the victim in this amount. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Frisco Resident Agency and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. attorneys in the Plano office.
Those who are victims of financial fraud can seek help from the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). The hotline is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers, assess their needs, and identify relevant next steps.
Reporting financial losses due to fraud can help authorities identify those who commit these crimes and increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is available from 10am-6pm Eastern Time, Monday-Friday, and offers support in English, Spanish, and other languages. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of being cautious and vigilant when dealing with financial transactions.
Related Federal Cases
- Shannon Tecoko Mays, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Texas, 2012 · Texas
- John Q. Smith, $50M Fraud Ring, Washington DC, 2025 · Washington
- Albert Davis, Wire Fraud, Kansas City, MO, 2023 · Missouri
- Michael Scott Calhoun, Wire/Mail Fraud, OK, 2023 · Alabama
- James Pavlounis, Social Security Administration Fraud and Tax Evasi… · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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