Man Accused of Impersonating Elon Musk, Scamming Elderly Woman

A Florida man’s alleged scheme to impersonate Elon Musk and swindle an elderly woman out of hundreds of thousands of dollars has landed him behind bars, highlighting the ongoing threat of impersonation scams targeting vulnerable people.

At a Glance

Jeffrey Moynihan, Jr., 56, has been arrested for allegedly impersonating Elon Musk to scam an elderly woman.
The victim lost at least $250,000, possibly up to $600,000, in a fraudulent investment scheme.
The scammer allegedly used Facebook and Musk’s social media posts to make impersonation convincing.
Elder fraud complaints increased by 14% in 2023, with over $3.4 billion in losses reported.

Florida Man Arrested for Elon Musk Impersonation Scam

Jeffrey Moynihan, Jr., a 56-year-old business owner from Florida, has been charged with grand theft after allegedly scamming a 74-year-old Texas woman out of at least $250,000 by impersonating tech billionaire Elon Musk. The elaborate scheme, which unfolded over several months, began on Facebook in 2023 when Moynihan allegedly created a fake account pretending to be the Tesla and SpaceX CEO.

According to authorities, Moynihan used information gleaned from Musk’s social media accounts to make his impersonation more convincing. He reportedly communicated with the victim regularly, building trust and eventually persuading her to invest in supposed business ventures.

A Florida man was arrested for allegedly impersonating Elon Musk and scamming a Texas woman out of approximately $600,000 https://t.co/3bf9507qwJ

— KVUE News (@KVUE) November 23, 2024

The Scam Unravels

The scammer allegedly promised the victim a staggering $55 million return on her investment. Falling for the ruse, the elderly woman wired approximately $370,000 to various accounts linked to Moynihan’s business, “Jeff’s Painting and Pressure Washing, LLC.” Bank records show that at least $250,000 was transferred to Moynihan’s accounts before they were flagged for fraud and subsequently closed.

The victim’s husband reported to investigators that he believes his wife may have given the impersonator around $600,000 in total. He also expressed concerns that his wife may be suffering from dementia, which could have made her more susceptible to the scam.

Arrest and Ongoing Investigation

Moynihan was arrested at his home, with the incident captured on body camera footage. During the arrest, he questioned the charges against him, asking, “Grand theft of what?” The investigation is ongoing, and it remains unclear if Moynihan has obtained legal representation.

This case is part of a broader trend of scammers exploiting the identities of public figures to target unsuspecting victims. Elon Musk’s identity, in particular, has been used in various scams globally, including AI deepfake videos and social media impersonations. Similar incidents have been reported internationally, with an Australian man and a Korean woman each losing $50,000 in Musk-related scams.

Rising Threat of Elder Fraud

The incident underscores the growing problem of elder fraud. According to recent data, complaints of elder fraud increased by 14% in 2023, with victims over 60 years old reporting losses totaling more than $3.4 billion. This alarming trend highlights the need for increased awareness and protection for vulnerable seniors against sophisticated online scams.

As the investigation continues, authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and verify the identity of individuals claiming to be celebrities or public figures, especially when financial transactions are involved. Family members are encouraged to monitor the online activities of elderly relatives and educate them about the risks of internet scams.