A 42-year-old Virginia woman was arrested Thursday on federal charges alleging she orchestrated a loan scheme targeting dozens of people who authorities said lost more than $5 million, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. Prosecutors said Williams paid an attorney in Austria $272,000 to prepare documents to make the transactions appear legitimate. They said she spent another $5 million on personal luxuries, including $1 million in travel to Brazil, the Czech Republic, Tahiti and Thailand and another $1 million at high-end stores such as Chanel, Gucci and Louis Vuitton. The affidavit says Williams spent $150,000 to live in hotels in and around the District. Prosecutors for the Eastern District of Virginia said anyone who believes they may have been victimized should call the U.S. attorney’s office at 800-221-6538.

Source: Washington Post February 15, 2018 20:48 UTC