LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – A 74-year-old woman who allegedly posed as an heiress to a massive aerospace empire has landed on the FBI’s Most Wanted list. Authorities say Mary Carole McDonnell scammed banks out of nearly $30 million by pretending to be a member of the famous McDonnell Douglas family.
The "Secret Trust" Scheme
Between July 2017 and May 2018, McDonnell allegedly ran a sophisticated fraud scheme in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Investigators say she convinced financial institutions, including the Banc of California, that she was an heir to the McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Corporation—the giant behind commercial jetliners and military aircraft.
She allegedly claimed she would soon gain access to a secret $80 million trust. Based on these lies, the FBI says she fraudulently obtained roughly $14.7 million from one bank alone, knowing she would never repay it. In total, she is believed to have defrauded institutions of over $30 million.
TV Producer Turned Fugitive
Before becoming a fugitive, McDonnell served as CEO of the Burbank-based TV production company Bellum Entertainment, which ironically produced true-crime shows like "It Takes a Killer" and "I Married a Murderer." In 2017, her company was investigated for failing to pay wages to dozens of employees, whom she reportedly told that payroll couldn't be met due to "significant bank fraud."
A federal arrest warrant was issued for her in December 2018 for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Hiding in Dubai
McDonnell is believed to have fled the United States and is currently thought to be living in Dubai. She has known ties to Los Angeles, Montgomery, Alabama, and the United Arab Emirates.
She is described as a white female, 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 145 pounds, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a distinct scar on her right knee. The FBI has urged anyone with information to contact their local FBI office or the nearest U.S. embassy.
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