Plano, Texas — Mark Aiseosa Kadiri, a student at Collin College in Plano, has been arrested for his involvement in a large financial fraud scheme that defrauded a victim over a thousand miles away in Virginia. The scam, which led to a loss of more than $61,000, was uncovered through an investigation conducted by the Collin County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Collin College Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia.
Authorities revealed that Kadiri allegedly posed as country music star Blake Shelton online to deceive the victim. The scam began when the perpetrator, pretending to be Shelton, engaged the victim by claiming to be going through a difficult divorce and requesting financial help. Believing they were communicating with the celebrity, the victim made 23 separate payments, ultimately totaling $61,000.
Assistant Deputy Chief Nick Bristow remarked, “If you actually believe that you’re talking to a celebrity online or they’re asking you to send them money, please understand that you are more than likely engaged in a fraud.”
Adding to the unusual nature of the scam, Kadiri reportedly requested the victim to make payments using Roblox gift cards or Robux, a virtual currency often used in online gaming.
“This type of fraud is unfortunately growing, especially with vulnerable populations like the elderly,” said Bristow. “This victim was led to believe they were interacting with Blake Shelton.”
Investigators tracked the fraudulent activity back to a computer and IP address on the Collin College campus. Kadiri was arrested on campus, where he had been attending classes. Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner emphasized the county’s commitment to addressing such crimes, stating, “If you are engaging in this type of crime, we will find you and we will arrest you.”
Kadiri is now facing a third-degree felony charge and is currently being held in the Collin County Jail. This case serves as a reminder of the rising threat of online scams, particularly those targeting the elderly. Authorities are urging the public to be cautious when engaging with strangers online, especially those claiming to be celebrities or requesting financial assistance.