A woman used LinkedIn to target Fortress Investment co-founder Wes Edens, extorting over $1.2 billion after a sexual encounter; she pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court.
01Summary
- 01Changli 'Sophia' Luo pleaded guilty on Tuesday in Manhattan federal court to fraud tied to a plot to extort more than $1.2 billion from Wes Edens.
- 02She faces up to 20 years in prison at sentencing in February; a trial had been set for Nov. 16 before the plea.
- 03Luo demanded at least $900 million through a mediator in November 2024, rising to $1.215 billion by January 2025.
- 04FBI agents on May 28, 2025, found a purple iPhone and two flash drives hidden in a package of sanitary pads in Luo's apartment.
- 05Separate charges involve two other men: Victim-2 had a $4,500 Apple Store purchase made on his credit card, and Victim-3 was asked for $50,000 in spending money.
02Why it matters
This case highlights the risks of online professional networking and how personal encounters can be weaponised for massive financial extortion, potentially affecting high-profile investors and business leaders.
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