An Indiana woman has been sentenced to three years in federal prison after she used a dating app to scam a 96-year-old man out of nearly $80,000, a U.S. attorney announced Wednesday. Brittany Rakia Shawnai Lasley, 34, of Anderson, created a social media account containing fake profile information on the dating site “Plenty of Fish” and used the account to perpetrate an online romance with the man, who was a widower, according to U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha.
Over time, Lasley persuaded the 96-year-old to send her money, gift cards, credit cards, and even hand over sensitive banking information. She subsequently gained access to his checking account and made several unauthorized purchases, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Attorney Cunha said Lasley led the victim to believe that these gifts would continue to foster a romantic relationship.
U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith sentenced Lasley on Wednesday to 36 months of incarceration to be followed by three years of federal supervised release, the first six months to be served in a residential reentry facility. The victim expressed shock and disbelief in an impact statement, stating it took him a few days to comprehend what had happened. He also expressed fear of losing his house, which he had lived in since 1970.
Attorney Cunha argued that Lasley preyed on a vulnerable elderly person, using the promise of love and companionship to exploit his savings. Inspector Ketty D. Larco-Ward of the United States Postal Inspection Service condemned Lasley’s actions, calling her a predator who preys on the vulnerable.
Lasley pleaded guilty to a single charge of wire fraud on September 6, 2023. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Paul F. Daly, Jr., and Peter Roklan, with assistance from various law enforcement agencies including the Coventry Rhode Island Police Department, the Anderson Indiana Police Department, the Indiana State Police, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.
This case serves as a reminder of the dangers of online scams and the importance of remaining vigilant, especially for vulnerable individuals.
