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The FBI is on the hunt for a woman accused of masquerading as an airline company heiress to swindle $30 million from banks in California.
The bureau has identified the suspect as Mary McDonnell, 73, who allegedly pretended to be an heir to the McDonnell aircraft fortune. She purportedly claimed entitlement to an $80-million secret trust fund, according to a report from the Los Angeles Times.
McDonnell is said to have deceitfully secured $14.7 million from the Bank of California and orchestrated fraud against several other financial institutions, culminating in losses surpassing $15 million.
The alleged fraudulent activities occurred between July 2017 and May 2018. By December 2018, a federal arrest warrant had been issued in Santa Ana, charging McDonnell with identity theft and bank fraud.
According to KTLA, McDonnell previously served as the chief financial officer for Bellum Entertainment LLC, a Burbank-based company that produced true-crime television series, including “I Married a Murderer” and “It Takes a Killer.”
The production company faced scrutiny for reportedly not paying its workers around the same time McDonnell blamed rampant bank fraud for the reason employees were not being paid, according to KTLA.
Meanwhile, McDonnell has been added to the FBI’s Most Wanted list, The FBI believes McDonnell may be in Dubai.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: FBI]