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Woman wanted by FBI allegedly posed as wealthy heiress, defrauded millions from banks

Mary Carole McDonnell allegedly posed as an aviation family heir to fraudulently obtain nearly $30 million from Southern California banks between 2017 and 2018, FBI says.

  • On December 5, 2025, the FBI said Mary Carole McDonnell, 73, is wanted for allegedly scamming nearly $30 million in California while posing as an heiress, believed to be in Dubai.
  • A federal arrest warrant issued on Dec. 12, 2018, shows McDonnell allegedly claimed access to an $80 million `secret trust` during her scheme from July 2017–May 2018.
  • Court records show Banc of California lost about $14,700,000, and investigators believe McDonnell defrauded other financial institutions of more than $15,000,000.
  • The FBI urged the public to come forward with tips after McDonnell was charged with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in 2018, with the case filed in U.S. District Court, Central District of California, Santa Ana.
  • McDonnell previously ran Bellum Entertainment LLC, Burbank production company that dissolved amid financial problems and labor scrutiny, and officials say her multiple aliases complicate identification.
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84 Articles

USA TodayUSA Today
Lean Left

FBI adds former true crime TV producer to Most Wanted list for fraud

Mary Carole McDonnell, 73, is wanted for her alleged involvement in a "fraud scheme" in California, the FBI said.

·United States
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The Daily ItemThe Daily Item
Lean Left

True crime producer who posed as heiress added to FBI Most Wanted list

A former true crime television producer who pretended to be an aerospace heiress to scam banks out of $30 million has been added to the FBI’s Most Wanted list.

·United States
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SF GateSF Gate
Lean Left

LA true crime producer led double life as fake heiress, FBI alleges

She claimed a massive "secret" family trust fund.

·San Francisco, United States
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Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles Times
Reposted by
DNyuzDNyuz
Lean Left

Woman claiming to be an heiress allegedly scammed nearly $30 million from California banks, authorities say

A woman allegedly posed as an heiress and scammed nearly $30 million from banks and institutions in Los Angeles and Orange counties, according to authorities.

·Los Angeles, United States
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BildBild
Lean Right

True-Crime Producer Mcdonnell Is Wanted by the Fbi Herself

Mary Carole McDonnell produced TV shows about real crime cases – and is being chased by the FBI itself. It's about millions of frauds.

·Berlin, Germany
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La LibreLa Libre
Center

A 73-Year-Old Woman Frauds $30 Million by Pretending to Be a Rich Heiress

The FBI has added Mary Cole McDonnell to her list of the most wanted people. She is suspected of swindling nearly $30 million. ...

·Brussels, Belgium
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MyNewsLA.com broke the news in on Sunday, December 7, 2025.
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