A former administrative assistant at a parish has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after embezzling over $220,000 in personal expenses and using the funds to purchase TikTok Coins, which were then used to send digital gifts to TikTok content creators. The fraudulent activity was uncovered through an FBI investigation.
The individual, identified as Battocletti, executed more than 600 unauthorized transactions before her scheme was detected. In federal court on Tuesday, Battocletti admitted to the charges, acknowledging the theft and misuse of parish funds.
According to the Alabama District Attorney's office, the maximum penalty for wire fraud includes up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Battocletti is scheduled to be sentenced on November 26 and has been granted a $5,000 bond pending her sentencing.
The case revealed how TikTok Coins, which can be used to send digital gifts to content creators during livestreams, were manipulated for personal gain. When a TikTok user sends a gift, it is converted into diamonds, which can then be exchanged for real money through PayPal, allowing creators to cash out the digital rewards.
The scheme exploited this process, converting parish funds into TikTok Coins and then into gifts, which were monetized by the recipients. This case highlights potential vulnerabilities in digital gifting systems and raises concerns about financial oversight and fraud prevention in digital platforms.
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