Christine Echohawk allegedly orchestrated a romance scam, defrauding elderly victims of $1.5 million, but her fate will soon be decided.
Key Takeaways
- Christine Echohawk, an Oklahoma native, was charged with scamming elderly women of notable sums of money.
- She allegedly used fictitious male identities to deceive victims, converting proceeds into cryptocurrency.
- The scam targeted women aged 64 to 79, prompting an investigation by the Consumer Protection Unit.
- Echohawk faces potential prison sentences and significant fines while awaiting legal proceedings.
- The FBI has highlighted a significant rise in losses from romance scams exceeding $600 million last year.
Details of the Allegations
Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, was arrested for allegedly defrauding four elderly women of $1.5 million through online romance scams. Her modus operandi included posing as various fictitious male characters like “Jason Morris” and “Edward Lotts.” Using these fake identities, Echohawk fabricated backstories and persuaded her victims to send large sums, including $120,000 for a nonexistent oil vessel and $600,000 for a fictitious debt.
The scam unraveled when a Stillwater MidFirst Bank flagged a suspicious transaction, prompting an investigation by the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit. Echohawk converted the stolen funds into cryptocurrency and supposedly transferred them to someone she claimed was another victim of “Maurice Deniro.”
An Oklahoma woman accused of using romance scams to steal $1.5M from elderly women is now facing money laundering charges.
Investigators say she posed as several men to get cash, gift cards and wire transfers.🔗 Full story: https://t.co/RkQuJn4THz pic.twitter.com/Pq785dTD9X
— News 9 (@NEWS9) April 11, 2025
Legal and Financial Repercussions
Echohawk, charged with multiple counts including unlawful use of criminal proceeds and violating the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act, could face up to 62 years in prison and $260,000 in fines if convicted. She is currently held at the Pawnee County Jail with the status of her legal representation still uncertain.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond emphasized the severe impact these scams have on the elderly, recognizing the increasing threats posed by online fraud schemes. The FBI has reported over $600 million lost to such schemes last year, underscoring the urgency in tackling these crimes.
Community and Law Enforcement Responses
The revelation of Echohawk’s alleged criminal activities and subsequent arrest has led to commendation of the diligent work by law enforcement and consumer protection units. The Attorney General’s office has vowed to continue protecting potential victims from similar scams in the future.
“These types of scams that target seniors are especially egregious,” Drummond said.
As Echohawk’s legal battles commence, the focus will remain on ensuring justice for the elderly victims and preventing further exploitation of vulnerable groups.
