FBI Pursues Michigan Woman Accused of Nearly $30 Million Fraud, Believed Hiding in Dubai
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Federal authorities are actively searching for Mary Carole McDonnell, a 73-year-old Michigan native wanted in connection with an elaborate financial fraud scheme that allegedly siphoned nearly $30 million from various financial institutions. The FBI has issued a warrant for McDonnell’s arrest after she reportedly fled the United States and is believed to be residing in Dubai.
Investigators say McDonnell orchestrated a complex bank fraud and aggravated identity theft operation between July 2017 and May 2018, primarily targeting banks in Los Angeles and Orange counties. According to the FBI, McDonnell falsely claimed to be an heir to the McDonnell Aircraft family fortune and asserted she would eventually gain access to an $80 million secret trust. Leveraging this fabricated identity and her position as CEO of Bellum Entertainment LLC, a Burbank-based production company, she convinced financial institutions to release funds to her without proper authorization.
McDonnell is alleged to have obtained approximately $14.7 million from Banc of California alone, fully aware that she was not entitled to these funds and did not repay them. Additional fraudulent activities reportedly netted her more than $15 million from other banks, bringing the total amount involved in the scheme close to $30 million. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California issued a federal arrest warrant on December 12, 2018, charging her with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Bellum Entertainment, the company McDonnell led, came under scrutiny in 2017 when the California Labor Commission investigated allegations of unpaid wages to dozens of former employees. Reports indicate that McDonnell attributed the company’s payroll issues to “significant bank fraud,” a claim now understood to be part of her broader fraudulent activities. Her documented ties span Los Angeles, Montgomery, Alabama, and Dubai, where authorities believe she currently remains.
The FBI has described McDonnell as a white female, approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 145 pounds, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a distinctive scar on her right knee. Given her international flight, the FBI urges anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact their local FBI office or the nearest American embassy or consulate. More details on reporting tips can be found through the U.S. Department of State.
This case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking fugitives who exploit global financial systems and international borders. The FBI continues to collaborate with international partners to locate McDonnell and bring her to justice. For additional information on bank fraud and identity theft, the Federal Trade Commission provides resources and guidance to help prevent similar crimes.
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