By now, most people have heard about the young lady busted for trying to cash stolen checks — a million bucks worth! But for those out of the loop, this is going to be a good one. The tale has it all — an exotic 20-something, an elderly millionaire, and a funny money scheme that was never going to fool anybody.
How did a prominent philanthropist become the victim of such a swindle, right under his nose? Perhaps love is blind, but the police are another story!
Read on to see how this gal was arrested before her big international escape!
Meet Richard
The story begins with 77-year-old businessman Richard Rappaport, president of Panther Medical. The Tampa-based firm is deeply involved in braces, electrotherapy devices, and more — a real focus on medical necessities for millions. And to help people, even more, Richard became a very charitable guy in his free time. Whether it was supporting private high schools or building bomb shelters for children abroad, the man was beloved.
What's more, Rich was a biking enthusiast. He loved to attend cycling events in Israel, where he has family and friends to this day. How did things go so terribly wrong in love, though?
The Femme Fatale
Enter Lin Helena Halfon, 26. With no previous criminal record in America, perhaps it was hard to predict that something was seriously awry. Or was it?
It's not clear how the Brunette bombshell met the aging septuagenarian, but she was born in Israel. Why, Richard must have felt they had a special connection with that fact! But alas, the age gap inexplicable to most street smart readers of this hard lesson learned. Pictured arm in arm at public benefits, people saw the alleged romance in action. Why didn't anyone warn him early on?
Secret Lovebirds
Perhaps Richard himself was involved in a bit of indirect deception. He married Lin at a county clerk's office in Sarasota, Florida. A very bare-bones ceremony, especially for a wealthy man! What's more, he kept it a secret from loved ones. This grandfather was actually close to his daughter and grandchildren, but none of them heard about a wedding. A major red flag!
In fact, they would later reveal to investigators that they believed Richard was being conned because of his age. Of course, he denied this. But could he for long?
The Big Visit
One day, Lin entered a local payday shop to do a little check cashing with a Wells Fargo cashier’s check. No big deal, happens every day.
Except this time, the note was a bit larger than usual. Employees refused to cash a $1 million request for this random customer, despite her explanation that she needed it to buy a yacht. Richard Rappaport was a name on the paper as well, and he certainly wasn't there to verify the story. Lin was frustrated, but she had a plan to get around their big check anxiety. What was her alternative?
No Way Jose
When Amscot refused to cash the $1 million, Lin offered to cut them a larger fee for the transaction. She nearly doubled their normal fee to $100,000. But they still didn't bite! No, they didn't believe the absent Richard wanted to help her buy a yacht in cash. They also did not believe Richard was our of the country. Yet Lin returned a few hours later to the same location with three checks, for $333,333 each.
Amscot thwarted her again, though. They made copies of her foreign ID and passport and contacted the authorities. What happened next?
Bad News Bears
Richard Rappaport was quickly notified by investigators about the secret scheme. At first, he gave his new wife the benefit of the doubt. He actually insisted that they did not deport her back to her home country. Obviously, this had to be a big mistake!
Richard wanted to make his marriage work, and he said he would just ask her to return the checks. Easy, peasy. Did this private mediation deter Lin, though?
Knock Knock
Investigators decided to visit Lin at her apartment. Oddly enough, she had a residence that was separate from her new beloved husband. But the police were not there to interrogate her about the quality of her relationship. Mainly, they wanted to know: Where were the checks?
Lin told them she mailed them to her sister in Israel to hide them. She claimed she had a fight with Richard after his family demanded he stops giving her money. Now, she could just ask her sister to mail back the notes. Problem solved, right?
Literally Unbelievable
Lin told investigators that she was just like any homemaker. She didn't work, and her husband paid her her expenses. He was wealthy, after all! No big deal for this man of means.
Richard believed he would get the checks back, and really didn't want investigators to continue bothering his young wife. Perhaps he was mentally still in the honeymoon stage, since the wedding had only recently happened! Would his dream be shattered by this sudden money conflict?
Bait and Switch
A month went by, and nothing had improved. Surprise, surprise: Lin had not returned the checks, but cashed two out of three! Now, $666,666 had been obtained at a location a thousand miles away. Again, investigators came to Richard's door. Did he feel he was a victim of fraud?
Finally, Richard admitted to the reality that Lin was not very nice to him when he asked her to return the checks on the telephone. Sometimes, things really are too good to be true. Super sad — but what could be done now, with the money gone?
Take Two
Details came to light that a man with a Florida address deviously nabbed the money at CheckPros all the way in Carteret, New Jersey. So far, 2/3 was gone. Would the final check be cashed before Richard could stop it?
He had never signed any of the banknotes, so how did they commit the crime? There would be a lot to investigate later, but now it was time to hit the emergency brakes. Richard allowed investigators to get a warrant to order Wells Fargo to freeze the final check of the trio. Did it work in time?
Crime Time
Looking into this matter became a priority for investigators. They met with an Amscot manager who revealed more of the behind-the-scenes activity at the branch. For starters, they had received a call from what was obviously a young man claiming to be Lin's husband and directing them to cash the checks. What's more, she had emphasized that she was only interested in money on the spot, and not a wire transfer when presented with the option.
The public has since weighed in that she sounds like a, incredibly stupid criminal. Maybe so, but how did she finally get caught?
Totally Busted
At this point, Lin's story was that she needed to meet a friend flying in and landing in Boston with the checks. But investigators noticed she flew to New York instead. Lies, lies, and more lies: It was time for an official meet and greet after an arrest warrant was issued.
Police arrested Lin at Tampa International Airport when she returned. And then, the news went viral! It was time for a fresh face to highlight a common marriage issue in wealthy circles. Could a 26-year-old really be in love with a man nearing his 80th birthday?
A Man With a Plan
Clearly, the police didn't think so. Charges were pressed, and Lin needed an attorney. She chose Todd Foster in Tampa, a specialist in white-collar crime. And like any real specialist, he knows how to present an interesting argument! Speaking with local media, he questioned the basis of the case altogether: “Can a wife steal from her husband? Is that a crime? We’re looking at that.”
He went further: “There’s a valid marriage between this couple and we look forward to bringing forward additional facts to bring clarity to this situation." Could Todd be legally correct?
Hasta La Vista, Baby
The outcome of this case remains to be seen. But one part of the story has come to an end already. In a surprise to no one at all, Richard Rappaport filed for divorce. It seems that the marriage did not survive 'til death do us part' or any other metric of commitment.
In the meantime, Richard has more space in his life for grandkids and bike trips. Clearly, Lin will need to find someone else to stand by her side as the case goes forward. She may even be deported! All's well that ends well, as they say.