Texas man accused of impersonating celebrity to scam victim in Washington County, Va.

by: Slater Teague

ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL) — A Texas man was arrested after authorities said he posed as a celebrity to scam a victim in Southwest Virginia.

According to the Washington County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), Mark Aiseosa Kadiri, 21, of McKinney, Texas, was arrested last Thursday by the Collin County, Texas Sheriff’s Office.

The WCSO had been alerted to an online scam involving a person impersonating a celebrity seeking financial help. According to the sheriff’s office, the scammer maintained contact with the victim for several months and exploited them for financial gain.

Investigators identified account information that led to McKinney, Texas and Kidiri being identified as a person of interest.

The Collin County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant and seized electronic data. Kadiri also admitted to his involvement in the scam, according to the WCSO.

Texas authorities charged Kadiri with third-degree felony theft. The WCSO also charged him with:

• Obtaining money or signature, etc. by false pretense
• Financial exploitation of vulnerable adults
• Computer fraud
• Using computer to commit a scheme involving false representations

Kadiri will be extradited to Washington County, Virginia.

Authorities did not identify the celebrity that Kadiri allegedly impersonated.

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Texas man accused of impersonating celebrity to scam victim in Washington County, Va.