On September 11, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that Cristine Petitfrere pleaded guilty in the Southern District of Florida to conspiring to launder millions of dollars from American fraud victims, many of whom are elderly, to an overseas co-conspirator for a fee. The DOJ reported that Petitfrere, a Florida resident, personally laundered more than $2.7 million dollars, which enabled her to unlawfully obtain more than $200,000 in fees.
According to the Factual Proffer to the Plea Agreement, Petitfrere directed a team of romance scam fraudsters who dealt directly with victims, to send unlawful proceeds from the fraudulent payments to Petitfrere’s bank account. Petitfrere then allegedly forwarded the proceeds to an unnamed co-conspirator located abroad, after keeping a portion of the proceeds for herself. While banks closed at least 12 of Petitfrere’s accounts for suspected links to fraudulent activity, Petitfrere allegedly continued to open new accounts and facilitate the transfer fraudulent proceeds overseas. According to the Factual Proffer, she also knowingly lied to the banks about the nature of the funds and her relationship with the overseas co-conspirator.
Petitfrere is currently scheduled to be sentenced on December 11, 2024.
DOJ Press Release | Indictment | Plea Agreement | Factual Proffer