The charges have presented a leg against an Oklahoma woman who is being accused or washing almost $ 1.5 million in funds obtained through online romance scams, aimed at older women.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced that Christine Joan Echahawk, 53, was arrested Monday and is accused of laundering money from victims outside the state between September. 30, 2024 and December 26, 2024.
The authorities said that all victims were women between the ages of 64 and 79.
The victims believed they were sending money to a male subject with whom they had an online relationship, according to a press release from Drummond’s office.
Drummond said a woman even sold her house to be able to send $ 600,000 to the scammer.
“These types of scams that attack older adults are especially atrocious,” Drummond said.
“I applaud the work of my consumer protection unit to fight for these victims and hold their alleged author.”
The victims also sent Apple’s gift cards, cash and cashiers, as well as money connected to accounts owned by Echohawk in Midfirst Bank, according to the press release.
Drummond’s office was also alerted by the bank in January after its transfer of $ 120,000 of one of the victims, suspecting a senior fraud activity.
Echahawk was confronted in January 2024 by the police on sustained criminal activities, said Drummond’s office, but allegedly continued to wash the funds after a brief pause.
The authorities said Echowk believes that he has been turning the funds into cryptocurrencies and sending those payments to an unidentified suspect.
Echahawk was accused of illegal or processed criminal use and using a computer to violate state statutes.
She faces five positions that, together, have been in prison for 24 to $ 260,000 in fines.
Anyone is encouraged to inform the subd fraud to the Consumer Protection Unit of the Attorney General Gentner in 833-681-1895 or consumerprotecion@oag.ok.gov.
