Florida Mother of Six Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Orchestrating Nationwide SIM-Swap Fraud Targeting Elderly Victims

Florida — A Florida mother of six has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after being convicted in a nationwide SIM-swap fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims and drained their bank accounts. Prosecutors say the woman rejected a five-year plea deal and chose to take her case to trial, where she was ultimately found guilty of participating in an extensive operation involving stolen phone numbers, financial theft, and identity fraud.

Scheme Targeted Elderly Victims Using SIM-Swap Techniques

Investigators reported that the woman and her associates carried out the fraud by calling elderly victims, posing as legitimate representatives, and convincing them to provide information that allowed the suspects to take control of their phone numbers through SIM swaps. Once the victims’ devices were compromised, the perpetrators accessed their bank accounts, email accounts, and Apple accounts, enabling them to move money, reset passwords, and extract sensitive data without detection.

Authorities say the stolen numbers allowed the group to intercept security codes, override account protections, and ultimately drain thousands of dollars from multiple victims.

Police Recovered Evidence Linking Her to More Than 50 Victims

During the investigation, police executed a search of the woman’s home and discovered stolen money, personal information belonging to more than 50 victims, and evidence connecting her to fraudulent transactions carried out across the country. Financial records, electronic devices, and handwritten notes provided a detailed look into how the scheme operated and how many people were affected.

Investigators stated that the fraud ring impacted individuals in several states, with some victims losing significant portions of their savings after their accounts were illegally accessed.

Federal Court Hands Down Lengthy Prison Term

During sentencing, federal prosecutors emphasized the severity of the crimes, the deliberate targeting of elderly individuals, and the widespread financial harm caused by the operation. The judge ultimately imposed a 20-year federal prison sentence, far higher than the original plea offer, citing the defendant’s central role in a sophisticated identity-theft enterprise.

Authorities say the sentence is intended to send a strong message about the consequences of participating in organized digital fraud schemes, especially those that exploit vulnerable individuals.

Federal investigators continue to review additional evidence to determine whether other members of the network may face prosecution. For continued updates on major crime cases, fraud investigations, and national public-safety developments, visit NapervilleLocal.com for the latest reporting.