BRADENTON, Fla. — "Elon Musk" was arrested in Florida this week. No, he's not the South African-born billionaire but rather a Tampa Bay area man accused of scamming a 74-year-old woman out of at least $250,000.
It all started back in 2023 when 56-year-old Jeffrey Moynihan, Jr. of Bradenton befriended a 74-year-old Texas woman on Facebook as "Elon Musk." Over the next several months, the two exchanged messages, in which "Musk" encouraged the woman to invest in his businesses.
Police say the woman was being promised a $55 million return.
According to police, financial records show the woman transferred $250,000 to a bank account owned by Moynihan and his business, Jeff's Painting and Pressure Washing, LLC.
However, the woman's husband reportedly told investigators his wife gave "Elon Musk" about $600,000.
Moynihan was arrested at his home on Wednesday night in Bradenton, according to Bradenton police.
"The real Elon Musk was otherwise engaged with the most recent launch of SpaceX and is not under investigation by BPD," police said in a news release.
The investigation is reportedly ongoing.
According to Bradenton police's elder fraud unit, nearly $3 million have been lost so far in 2024 during fraud cases involving victims over the age of 60.
Resources to protect yourself and your loved ones from scams can be found at bradentonpd.com/elder-fraud-unit.
Four signs to spot a scam
Scammers typically use one or more of the four "P's" — Pretend, Problem or Prize, Pressure, and Payment
- Scammers PRETEND to be from an organization you know
- Scammers say there's a PROBLEM or PRIZE
- Scammers PRESSURE you to act immediately
- Scammers tell you to PAY in a specific way
