Woman Sentenced for Defrauding 96-Year-Old Rhode Island Widower in Romance Scam

PROVIDENCE (WBSM) — An Indiana woman has been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to defrauding a 96-year-old Rhode Island widower out of $80,000 in a romance scam.

Brittany Rakia Shawnai Lasley, 34, of Anderson, Indiana was sentenced to three years in federal prison after pleading guilty and admitting to a federal judge that she created a social media account containing fake profile information on the dating site Plenty of Fish.

When contacted by the widower, Lasley persuaded the victim to provide her with money, credit cards, gift cards, and his personal identifying information. Lasley fraudulently obtained access to the victim's checking account and credit cards and made numerous unauthorized purchases.

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Lasley pleaded guilty to a wire fraud charge on September 6, 2023. She was sentenced on Wednesday to 36 months of incarceration.

She will also serve three years of federal supervised release, the first six months to be served in a residential re-entry facility.

"This defendant preyed on a vulnerable, elderly Rhode Islander, dangling the promise of love and companionship in an attempt to help herself to her victim's hard-earned savings," U.S. Attorney Cunha said. "With this sentence, it is Ms. Lasley who will deservedly pay the price for her appalling conduct."