Jeffrey A. Moynihan of Bradenton, Fla., is accused of impersonating Elon Musk online to scam a Texas woman out of at least $250,000.Photo by Bradenton Police Department (Moynihan) and Getty Images (Musk)

Florida man accused of posing as Elon Musk and allegedly scamming Texas woman out of $250K

‘The victim felt like Elon really was her friend’

25 Nov 2024, 18:07 by Kenn Oliver · National Post

A Florida man who allegedly impersonated tech billionaire Elon Musk online to befriend and scam a 74-year-old Texas woman out of $250,000 USD on the promise of a $55 million return was arrested and charged with grand theft last week.

After arresting Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr., 56, the Bradenton Police Department said in a news release that “the actual sum could be much higher” as the victim’s 80-year-old husband “told investigators his wife gave ‘Elon Musk’ approximately $600,000.”