A 53-year-old Oklahoma woman has been arrested for allegedly orchestrating a $1.5 million online romance scam targeting elderly women across multiple states.
At a Glance
- Oklahoma woman charged with laundering $1.5 million from elderly victims
- Four women, aged 64 to 79, believed they were in online romantic relationships
- One victim sold her home, sending $600,000 to the scammer
- Funds were laundered through bank accounts and converted to cryptocurrency
- Suspect faces up to 62 years in prison and $260,000 in fines
Elaborate Romance Scam Targets Elderly Women
Christine Joan Echohawk, a 53-year-old resident of Pawnee, Oklahoma, has been arrested and charged with laundering approximately $1.5 million obtained through online romance scams. According to the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, Echohawk allegedly deceived four elderly women, aged between 64 and 79, into believing they were in romantic relationships with fictitious men she portrayed online.
One of the victims reportedly sold her home to send $600,000 to the scammer. The women sent Apple gift cards, cash, cashier’s checks, and wired money to accounts owned by Echohawk at MidFirst Bank, according to a statement from the Attorney General’s Office.
Watch KOCO 5’s report on the incident.
Investigation Uncovers Cryptocurrency Laundering
The scheme came to light when MidFirst Bank intercepted a suspicious $120,000 transfer and alerted authorities. The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit launched an investigation, revealing that Echohawk laundered the funds through various accounts and converted them into cryptocurrency. The cryptocurrency was then sent to an unidentified accomplice.
Echohawk had been previously confronted by law enforcement in January 2024 about suspected criminal activity but allegedly resumed her operations after a brief hiatus. She now faces five counts, including unlawful use of criminal proceeds and using a computer to violate state statutes. If convicted, she could face between 24 and 62 years in prison and up to $260,000 in fines, according to the same official release.
Broader Implications of Romance Scams
Attorney General Gentner Drummond condemned the exploitation of seniors, stating, “These types of scams that target seniors are especially egregious. I applaud the work of my Consumer Protection Unit to fight for these victims and to hold accountable their alleged perpetrator.”
Romance scams have become increasingly prevalent, with the FBI reporting that in 2023 alone, victims lost over $650 million to such schemes. These scams often involve perpetrators posing as romantic interests to gain victims’ trust and eventually defraud them of significant sums of money, especially targeting the elderly and emotionally vulnerable.
Authorities urge individuals to exercise caution when engaging in online relationships, especially when financial requests are involved. They recommend verifying the identity of online contacts and being wary of individuals who quickly profess love or request money for emergencies.
