FBI: Woman Posed as Heiress, Defrauded Nearly $30M from Banks
Written by Site Hub on December 5, 2025
Mary Carole McDonnell, a 73-year-old former TV executive, is wanted by the FBI for allegedly defrauding nearly $30 million from banks by posing as an heiress to the McDonnell Aircraft fortune. According to federal authorities, she claimed access to a fictitious $80 million trust and used these claims to secure large sums in loans, including $14.7 million from the Banc of California. The scheme took place between July 2017 and May 2018, during which McDonnell served as CEO of Bellum Entertainment, a now-defunct production company. Much of the fraudulently obtained money was allegedly used to pay Bellum’s payroll and debts. McDonnell faces charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft and has been on the run since a federal warrant was issued in 2018. The FBI believes she may currently be in Dubai and is actively seeking public assistance.
Source: NBC News
WDKX Holiday Stream