Westfield resident Shayna Williams, 51, pleaded guilty to wire fraud on Monday for a six-year scheme that defrauded an elderly victim of more than $500,000.
Impersonating Insurance Agents
According to court documents, Williams struck up a relationship with the victim after a car accident. Over the next six years, she manipulated the woman and her friend, claiming her daughter suffered severe back injuries requiring surgery and specialized equipment like a walker and an in-home elevator. She also asserted that she and other family members were undergoing expensive medical treatments.
To maintain the ruse, Williams texted the victim while impersonating insurance agents. These messages falsely promised reimbursement for medical expenses if the victim paid the bills directly to her. She took steps to hide her phone number to make the impersonations appear legitimate.
The victim took out personal loans, worked as a food delivery driver, and obtained a second mortgage on her home to cover the fraudulent costs. Despite knowing the victim was incurring significant debt, Williams continued to request funds, spending the money on personal expenses like restaurants, travel, and gambling.
Financial Devastation
In total, the victim paid Williams more than $672,000 before the scheme was uncovered.
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The financial impact on the victim was severe. The victim took out personal loans, worked as a food delivery driver, obtained a second mortgage on her home, and borrowed money from a friend to pay the fraudulent bills.
Williams faces sentencing later this year. The case was investigated by the FBI Indianapolis field office and the Carmel Police Department. U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Eakman and Meredith Wood for their prosecution.
Victims of financial fraud often endure long periods of silence before coming forward. The emotional toll of being scammed by someone they trusted is rarely visible in the legal paperwork, yet it frequently leaves lasting scars that go well beyond the balance in a bank account. It is common for victims to blame themselves for being vulnerable, but financial exploitation is a calculated crime that preys on the trust seniors place in others.
If you or someone you know is aged 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, the National Elder Fraud Hotline offers assistance. Staffed seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. [ET], the hotline can be reached at 1-833 FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). Services are available in English, Spanish, and other languages.
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