Georgia woman sentenced in online ‘romance scam’

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — According to U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha, a Georgia woman has been sentenced for a nation-wide online romance scheme that defrauded seniors out of at least $5.8 million.

Syretta Scherer, 42, of Snellville, Georgia, pleaded guilty on April 28, 2023 to a charge of conspiracy regarding money laundering.

On March 7, 2024, Scherer was sentenced to 46 months of incarceration, followed by two years federal supervision.

The court found that Scherer laundered nearly $1.1 million during the time she was a part of the scheme.

Members of the scheme contacted victims using social media outlets and manipulated people by developing relationships with them.

Scammers would then inform their victims that they were in financial distress and pry them into sending sums of money.

According to information presented in the case, in late 2017, Scherer created a fake company, Precise Carriers, where she opened numerous bank accounts, into which the victims funds were deposited. She carried out these operations for the next two years.

After Scherer was questioned by numerous banks, she recruited others to open bank accounts in their names.