Marblehead Woman Victimized By Global Money Laundering Scam

MARBLEHEAD, MA — A man accused on scamming a Marblehead woman and others women around the country withdrew his request to have an ankle-monitoring bracelet removed Thursday when a Salem Superior Court judge signaled doing so would likely involve an increase of his $250,000 bail. An Essex County grand jury indicted Hassan Ali Abbas, 52, and Rapheal O. Adebowale, 30, in June on charges stemming from a scam that prosecutors say was part of an international money laundering conspiracy.

Investigators say Abbas contacted the Marblehead woman, who is in her mid-60s, through her online dating profile. According to the Salem News, which first reported this story, the suspects convinced the woman to transfer $214,000 after they had gained her trust. Defense attorneys are arguing that prosecutors have no evidence linking Abbas and Adebowale to the online communications with the woman.