Two Women Sentenced To Federal Prison For Credit Card Fraud Scheme Targeting Elderly Victims

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza today sentenced Lenardra Griffin (30, Grand Island) to three years and four months in federal prison, and Christina Scott (35, Orlando) to two years and six months in federal prison, for access device (credit card) fraud. In addition, the court also ordered Griffin and Scott to pay restitution in the amounts of $812,909.53 and $703,483.50, respectively. Griffin had pleaded guilty to two counts of access device fraud on January 8, 2019, and Scott had pleaded guilty to one count of access device fraud on June 20, 2019. 

On June 26, 2019, a third participant in the scheme, Shannon Bentley (34, Sorrento), was sentenced to nine years and three months in federal prison. She was also ordered to pay $812,990.53 in restitution.  

According to court documents, from August 2014 through July 2018, the conspirators obtained personal identifying information (“PII”) from victims, obtained fake credit card accounts and cards in the victims’ names or linked to their accounts, and used those credit cards to obtain goods, gift cards, and cash at retail establishments and banks throughout Orlando and surrounding areas. Griffin was involved in all aspects of this scheme and, along with Bentley, exploited the advanced age of their elderly victims to steal their identities, causing them to incur fraudulent charges. Scott was involved in the use of, and trafficking in, fraudulent credit cards. The total amount of loss was estimated to be more than $812,000.   

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, with assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.

Combatting elder abuse and financial fraud targeted at seniors is a key priority of the Department of Justice. Together with our federal, state, local and tribal partners, the Department of Justice is steadfastly committed to combatting all forms of elder abuse and financial exploitation through enforcement actions, training and resources, research, victim services, and public awareness.