ZANESVILLE, Ohio (AVC News) — An Oregon woman has admitted guilt to money laundering after becoming involved in an online romance scam that led to more than $80,000 being stolen from a Zanesville business.
Arianna Stark was working as a security guard in early 2026 when she met a man online. After months of communication, the man convinced her they were in a romantic relationship and offered her a way to earn additional money.
According to prosecutors, the man persuaded Stark to establish a limited liability company and open a bank account in Oregon. He then instructed her to receive payments from his purported business, convert the money to bitcoin and transfer it to a digital wallet he provided.
At the same time, the man was conducting a phishing scheme targeting Backroad Wellness, a Zanesville marijuana sales company. He created an invoice that appeared to come from one of the company’s suppliers. An employee paid more than $80,000 into the account Stark had opened.
Stark transferred the money to the man, who was operating from Nigeria rather than conducting a legitimate business in the United States.
Prosecutors said the case illustrates how international fraud operations recruit people in the United States to receive and transfer stolen money. The schemes can involve extended periods of online communication intended to establish trust before victims are asked to participate in financial transactions.
Assistant Prosecutors John Litle and Lucas Howard recently learned about the operations during an organized crime training update with the National District Attorneys Association. Prosecutors said some overseas fraud centers are large operations that use recruited workers to conduct scams for extended periods.
Zanesville Police Commander Phil Michel tracked Stark and her accounts, helping authorities recover nearly $75,000 before it could be transferred as bitcoin to Nigeria.
Stark cooperated with investigators and helped identify the person behind the online relationship. Prosecutors said she had no prior criminal record, made less than $1,000 from her involvement and did not know the specific illegal activity she was assisting, although she knew the transactions had no legitimate business purpose.
Stark pleaded guilty to money laundering, a third-degree felony. She is expected to receive community control in Oregon and use her experience to educate at-risk groups about internet scams.
Assistant Prosecutor Litle, who handled the case, said the recommended sentence takes into account Stark’s criminal conduct, her limited understanding of the scheme and the nearly three months she spent in jail.
“Doing justice in a case doesn’t always mirror what someone thinks after reading a headline,” Litle said.
Last Updated on November 12, 2026 by AVC News
