Former True Crime TV Producer Allegedly Conned Banks Out of Nearly $30 Million Before Fleeing America

Former true crime TV producer Mary Carole McDonnell — who was recently added to the FBI’s Most Wanted list — posed as an airline heiress to con financial institutions in California out of nearly $30 million before fleeing America for the United Arab Emirates, say federal officials.

McDonnell, a 74-year-old Michigan native, allegedly convinced banks that she was part of the McDonnell Aircraft dynasty and could tap a secret $80 million trust fund.

According to the FBI, from July 2017 to May 2018, the money-grubbing senior secured $14.7 million from the Banc of California by masquerading as a wealthy aviation heiress and managed to weasel an additional $15 million from institutions in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

“McDonnell is alleged to have knowingly, and with the intent to defraud, devised and participated in a scheme to obtain money, funds, assets and property,” the FBI states.

Officials say a federal arrest warrant was issued for McDonnell in December 2018 after she was charged with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, but lawmen believe she left the U.S. for the UAE city of Dubai to evade capture.

Lawmen say the suspect is the former CEO of Bellum Entertainment Group, which produced syndicated shows such as Corrupt Crimes and Murderous Affairs, and has been on the lam for nearly seven years.