Woman believed to be in Dubai makes FBI fraudster list, with $150k reward
LOS ANGELES (KESQ) - A 75-year-old woman believed to be living in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates has been added to the FBI's newly formed Most Wanted Fraudsters list for allegedly bilking banks in Los Angeles and Orange counties out of millions of dollars, officials said today.
A reward of up to $150,000 is on offer for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Mary Carole McDonnell, who is also wanted on suspicion of identity theft.
According to Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office Patrick Grandy, McDonnell obtained a total of approximately $14.7 million from one bank and also defrauded other financial institutions.
"McDonnell has falsely claimed to be an heiress to the McDonnell aircraft family, with an $80 million secret trust to which she will have access,'' according to an FBI statement. "In December 2018, a federal arrest warrant was issued for McDonnell in the United States District Court, Central District of California, Santa Ana, California, after she was charged with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. It is believed McDonnell is currently in Dubai."
McDonnell is known to have used the aliases Mary Carole Carroll; Mary Carol McDonnell; Mary Carroll McDonnell, Mary C. Carroll and Mary Carroll McDonald.
She is white, 5-feet-7 inches tall, weighs about 145 pounds and has blond hair, blue eyes and a scar on her right knee. She may have changed her appearance over the years, according to the FBI.
She has ties to Los Angeles, Montgomery, Alabama and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
"McDonnell is wanted for defrauding financial institutions out of millions and is known to have falsified her inheritance and background,'' Grandy said. "It's just a matter of time before McDonnell is caught as we work with our international partners to locate her. A generous reward is being offered in exchange for information leading to her apprehension and conviction, and a tip from the public might break the case."
McDonnell was the founder in 2004 of the now-defunct Burbank-based television production and distribution company Bellum Entertainment, which was originally established under the name LongNeedle Entertainment and specialized in true crime stories, authorities said.
She was indicted in 2018.
Created to focus exclusively on fugitives wanted for major fraud, the FBI's Most Wanted Fraudsters list is separate from its better-known Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
Anyone with information as to McDonnell's whereabouts was urged to contact their local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.
Alternatively, the FBI's toll-free tipline can be reached at 1-80-ALL- FBI. Tips can also be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov.
