Most wanted list adds accused fake heiress in bank fraud case
Key takeaways
- The FBI added Mary Carole McDonnell to its Most Wanted Fraudsters list.
- Prosecutors allege she posed as an heiress and sought about 15 million dollars.
- The FBI offers up to 150,000 dollars for tips that lead to her arrest.
The FBI has added a new name to its Most Wanted Fraudsters list. The name is Mary Carole McDonnell. Prosecutors allege she posed as a rich heiress and tricked banks out of millions.
The FBI says she is 75 years old. It says she is believed to be living in Dubai. A fugitive is a person whom police want to arrest and cannot find.
McDonnell is accused, not convicted. An accusation is a claim. A court must still decide the case.
What happened
On October 14, 2026, the FBI announced the listing. It named McDonnell as one of two new fugitives on the list. Patrick Grandy is the assistant director in charge of the FBI Los Angeles office.
His office shared the news with the public.
The charge is bank fraud. Bank fraud means tricking a bank to get money. The second charge is aggravated identity theft.
That means using another person's identity while committing a crime, according to the charge.
She was indicted in 2018, according to MyNewsLA. An indictment is a formal criminal charge. It is not a verdict.
Prosecutors allege the scheme ran from July 2017 to May 2018, based on the charges. It allegedly took place in Los Angeles and Orange counties in California. Prosecutors allege McDonnell got about 14.7 million dollars from one bank.
Fox LA reports the bank was Banc of California. The FBI says she has not paid the money back. Prosecutors allege she also took money from other banks.
Fox LA puts total estimated losses above 15 million dollars.
An heiress is a woman set to inherit family wealth. Prosecutors allege McDonnell falsely claimed that role. She allegedly claimed ties to the McDonnell aircraft family.
She allegedly claimed access to a secret trust worth 80 million dollars. A trust is money or property held for a person. The FBI says the trust claim was false.
It says she also falsified her background.
McDonnell founded a TV firm in 2004, according to MyNewsLA. The firm was Bellum Entertainment, based in Burbank. It made true crime shows.
The firm has since closed.
In December 2018, a federal arrest warrant was issued for her. The warrant came from a court in Santa Ana, California. The case sits in the Central District of California.
The FBI lists several other names for her. They include Mary Carole Carroll and Mary Carroll McDonald. The FBI says she has ties to Los Angeles, Montgomery in Alabama, and Dubai.
It describes her as 5 feet 7 inches tall. It puts her weight at about 145 pounds. It says her look may have changed over the years.
Why it matters
The Most Wanted Fraudsters list is new. The FBI launched the list in June 2026 for fraud fugitives. It focuses only on fugitives wanted for major fraud.
It is separate from the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. That older list covers many types of serious crime. The new list puts fraud cases in the spotlight.
A public list can bring in tips. Tips can help agents find people abroad.
The FBI offers up to 150,000 dollars for useful tips. The reward covers tips that lead to arrest and conviction. Fraud losses hurt banks first.
Banks also face big fines when their controls fail. Strong checks help banks spot false claims early. This case shows why banks check wealth claims with care.
Identity theft can harm ordinary people too. Criminals can use stolen details to open accounts. A credit freeze can help people guard their own identity.
Readers can also learn what happens if a bank fails. This article is for information only and is not financial advice.
What happens next
The FBI says it is working with partners in other countries. The goal is to find McDonnell and bring her to court. People with tips can contact their local FBI office.
They can also contact the nearest embassy or consulate. An embassy is a country's office in another nation. A consulate is a smaller office that helps citizens abroad.
The FBI also runs a toll-free tip line. Its number is 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can also go through the FBI tip site.
Prosecutors in the Central District of California handle the case. The case will move forward only if she is found and brought to court. A return to the United States could take time.
Cases across borders often move slowly. Officials have not said when she might face a judge.
The FBI expects the new list to grow. Each new name brings fresh public attention. The FBI says a single tip could break the case.
For now, McDonnell remains a fugitive. The courts will decide the charges if she is brought in.
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