Michigan – Everette Jhamal Thibou, 32, from Tampa, Florida, has been sentenced to 168 months in prison for her part in a sophisticated fraud that deceived elderly victims out of $11 million in a major verdict marking a turning point in a multi-state elder fraud operation. Mark Totten, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, claims in this case a terrifying disregard for the welfare of some of the most vulnerable people of society.
Targeting roughly 50 people mostly from West Michigan and around the country, most of them were old, the scheme used several fraudulent methods to control and steal from the victims. The offenders used digital scare techniques, pop-ups on victims’ PCs alleging a virus problem and asking them to phone a fake tech support number. This number connected the victims to con artists from respectable companies like Microsoft or Apple, who were really part of an Indian-based scamming gang, acting as tech support agents.
Victims were coached into thinking their financial stability was threatened in different ways. In one case, they were advised to turn over cash to fictitious “federal agents” for “safekeeping,” after learning their bank accounts had been hacked. Other times they were persuaded they needed to pay to get their names cleared from fictitious criminal investigations or misled into paying for nonexistent technical support. Whatever the technique, the victims who sent over money via wire transfers, mailed cash, or even gift cards suffered financial losses.
Read also: Stellantis to outsource Detroit logistics facility, leading to permanent layoffs for 400 employees
Thibou is the sixth defendant sentenced in connection to this elaborate scheme. Previous sentences for his co-defendants include:
- Jmyla Elaine Sha’taria White from Thonotosassa, Florida, sentenced to 97 months.
- Jayesh J. Panchal from Hicksville, New York, and Jorrel Tyler Jackson from Riverview, Florida, each sentenced to 78 months.
- Vijaya C. Shetty from Jackson Heights, New York, received a 63-month sentence.
- McKhaela Katelynn McNamara from Flint, Michigan, was sentenced to 51 months.
Another conspirator, Pragneshbhai M. Patel from Amityville, New York, remains at large with an outstanding arrest warrant issued last year.
These thieves imposed great emotional and financial damage to their victims that is typically irreversibly. U.S. Attorney Mark Totten underlined the defendants’ unrelenting use of their targets and their apathetic attitude to the suffering of the victims.
The Justice Department has created a National Elder Fraud Hotline in order to fight such crimes and assist the elderly who might be targets. This service is designed for elders who have fallen victim to financial frauds. Aiming to raise the possibility of recovering financial losses and preventing future scams, the hotline provides direct help and can link callers to suitable reporting authorities.
The hotline operates weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET and can be reached at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311). It supports multiple languages and is managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, which employs professionals skilled in navigating the complexities of elder fraud cases.
Read also: Michigan jury sides with former Blue Cross worker in $13M case over religious exemption denial
This extensive investigation that led to these convictions and sentences was a joint effort by the FBI’s Detroit and Grand Rapids Resident Agencies, Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans, and the Lake County, Michigan, Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Clay Stiffler was responsible for the prosecution, which underscores the ongoing commitment of federal agencies to safeguard seniors from financial predators.