Two Providence residents charged in social-media fraud scheme

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Ms. Hollywood doesn’t know investing, but she apparently gets human nature.

Providence resident Zaria Harrell, who goes by “Zaria the Model” on Facebook, calls herself “future millionaire” on Instagram, and uses “Ms. Hollywood” and an unprintable salacious handle on Snapchat, found a way to monetize followers from all over the country, according to an investigation by state police.

The deal, state police found: Wire her $100, and she’ll send you back $1,000. Send her $150, and you’ll get $1,500. Whatever you send, she’d send 10 times back.

The reality: The only people making money were Harrell and a local ex-con, Isaiah Pinkerton, who joined her in picking up the money from Western Union sites in North Providence and Providence, according to the state police.

Read more: http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20170922/two-providence-residents-charged-in-social-media-fraud-scheme