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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA Westfield woman pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with a six-year scheme to defraud an elderly woman she was in a car crash with of more than $500,000.
Shayna Williams, 51, faces a maximum of 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to the charge as part of a plea agreement on June 30.
According to court documents, Williams schemed to defraud the victim from November 2018 through November 2024 by lying about the injuries and medical expenses she and her family members sustained after a car accident involving the victim.
Investigators said Williams told the victim that the car crash required her daughter to undergo an expensive back surgery and to use expensive medical equipment such as a special walker and an elevator in their home.
In texts to the victim, Williams impersonated insurance agents who were trying to resolve claims with hospitals, according to court documents. Williams used a cell phone app to mask her real phone number in order to make it look like the texts were coming from someone else.
Williams also told the victim that if she sent money to Williams to pay hospital bills, the victim would be repaid by the insurance company, court documents state.
The victim took out personal loans in her name, worked as a food delivery driver, borrowed money from a friend and took out a second mortgage on her home to pay Williams, who in turn used the money on restaurants, travel and gambling, investigators say.
Williams continued the scheme despite knowing the lengths the victim went to pay her, according to court documents.
In total, Williams received about $672,000 from the victim and the victim’s friend.
A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
The case is USA v. Shayna Williams, 1:25-cr-00138-SEB-KMB.
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