Florida Woman Pleads Guilty to Romance Scam

Cristine Petitfrere, a 30-year-old woman from Miramar, Florida, has pleaded guilty to laundering over $2.7 million from romance scams targeting vulnerable elderly individuals. She created fake online personas to gain victims' trust and then funneled the stolen funds to a co-conspirator in Ghana while keeping a portion for herself. The scams led to significant financial losses, with Americans reportedly losing $1.14 billion to such schemes in 2023, according to the FTC. Petitfrere faces up to 10 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for December 11, 2024. The Department of Justice emphasized the emotional and financial harm caused by these scams, which often involve fabricated stories and urgent financial needs. This case highlights ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks exploiting vulnerable Americans.