A Montgomery County jury convicted Janey Sears, 72, of Washington, D.C., of defrauding a Silver Spring man of nearly $407,000 after meeting him on an online dating site.
Sears was found guilty on Monday after prosecutors presented evidence she solicited money from the victim under the guise of a stock investment. Instead of purchasing shares on his behalf, she spent the funds at casinos and on a sports car, according to Bethesda Magazine.
The case was prosecuted with involvement from the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, WJLA reported. The specific charges have not been publicly detailed in available court records.
Sears faces prison time. A sentencing date has not been announced.
Romance scams on the rise
The conviction underscores a trend federal regulators have flagged across the country. Nearly 60% of romance scam victims in 2025 said the fraud started on a social media or dating platform, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Investment scams accounted for the bulk of the $2.4 billion in losses reported to the FTC by adults 60 and older in 2024, a 26% jump from the year before.
How to report
Residents who suspect investment fraud or a romance scam can contact the Maryland Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at 410-528-8662 or file a report at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Tips about crimes in progress should go to Montgomery County Police non-emergency at 301-279-8000.
