MI Woman Posed As Wealthy Heiress To Steal $30M: FBI

A 73-year-old Michigan woman is on the run after scamming several banks out of $30 million while posing as a wealthy heiress, according to the FBI.

The FBI said that Mary Carole McDonnell pretended to be an heir to the McDonnell Aircraft family and claimed to have a "secret" trust fund worth $80 million nearly a decade ago.

Between July 2017 and May 2018, she obtained $14.7 million from the Banc of California, and another $15 million from other financial institutions using the same tactics, officials said.

McDonnell was the CEO of Burbank-based Bellum Entertainment, which produced true crime shows available on streaming services including "It Takes a Killer," "Corrupt Crimes," "I Married a Murderer," and "Bizarre Murders," according to court documents obtained by Patch.

Later in 2018, officials charged McDonnell with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft and issued a warrant for her arrest. However, officials believe she may have fled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Officials asked anyone with information about the investigation or McDonnell’s whereabouts to call the FBI or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.