New York And Florida Women Arrested For Defrauding Over A Dozen Victims Of More Than $7 Million In Connection With Romance Scams

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of a Complaint charging ROSANNA LISA STANLEY and GINA GUY for their roles in a series of romance schemes and for laundering the proceeds of those schemes.  STANLEY was arrested in North Miami Beach, Florida, and will be presented in federal court in the Southern District of Florida later today.  GUY was arrested in New York, New York, and will be presented in Manhattan federal court later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Rosanna Lisa Stanley and Gina Guy callously defrauded elderly victims who were simply looking for companionship.  They allegedly used the millions of dollars in fraud proceeds to lead lives of luxury at their victims’ expense.  As today’s arrests demonstrate, perpetrators of romance scams will be held to account for their crimes.”

FBI Assistant District in Charge James Smith said: “Gina Guy and Rosanna Lisa Stanley allegedly took advantage of innocent individuals seeking companionship and exploited them for their own benefit.  Collecting millions of dollars from their victims, the perpetrators allegedly gained and betrayed the trust of primarily elderly individuals to fund their luxury purchases.  The FBI is committed to ensuring those who capitalize on personal connections for selfish reasons are brought to justice and prevented from repeating their crimes.”

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint:[1]

STANLEY, from about 2009 to about 2024, and GUY, from about 2020 to about 2024, defrauded at least 16 victims (the “Victims”) of more than $7 million.  As part of that scheme, STANLEY and GUY lured the Victims, who were nearly all elderly individuals, into purported romantic or close personal relationships through in-person meetings, phone calls, text messages, and an online dating platform.  After earning the Victims’ trust, STANLEY and GUY convinced the Victims to transfer money to STANLEY and GUY under false pretenses, including by, among other things, falsely representing that STANLEY and GUY needed money for fake businesses and organ transplants.  Once STANLEY and GUY received the Victims’ money, they moved the money through shell company bank accounts to avoid detection by law enforcement.  Ultimately, STANLEY and GUY used the money for their personal benefit, including, for example, for luxury vehicles, a boat, high-end jewelry, and other luxury products.

*                *                *

STANLEY, 48, of North Miami Beach, Florida, and GUY, 37, of New York, New York, are each charged with one count of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of money laundering, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. 

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.  

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI. 

The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Diarra M. Guthrie and Lauren Phillips are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.