Fake Heiress To Prison For Five Years

Bari Lynn Berger has been sentenced to five years in prison for scamming investors out of $1.7 million. Berger previously pleaded guilty to mail fraud and wire fraud, admitting that she falsely represented herself to investors as the heir to an estate worth billions of dollars. Between January 2008 and March 2009, Berger told victims that she needed money to become eligible to receive the inheritance and that those who contributed money would receive a substantial return—up to $1,000 for every $1 invested—once the disbursement of the estate took place. She defrauded at least 140 victims who believed the story and expected a return on their investment. 

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Cynthia M. Rufe ordered Berger to pay restitution in the amount of $1.7 million and ordered three years of supervised release.