Perry Hall Man Scams 75-Year-Old Out Of Life Savings: Officials

PERRY HALL, MD — A Perry Hall man who was a registered broker and investment advisor was charged recently by criminal complaint with wire fraud, according to an affidavit from the FBI.

Eddie Blizzard, 42, scammed a Baltimore County man out of his entire life savings, according to the affidavit, which said the scheme came to light after the victim's home went into foreclosure.

Blizzard worked for M&T in Catonsville and told his client in 2005 that he was "going out on his own" and could see the man through his private practice, the affidavit says. However, the private practice did not open, and Blizzard met the man in his car in a parking lot.

The victim worked for a commercial air conditioning company for 40 years before taking a buyout and retiring. He was illiterate and could not access websites to monitor his accounts, according to the criminal complaint, which said he sought investment advice from M&T Bank in hopes of providing inheritance for his grandchildren.

From 2016 to 2019, officials allege Blizzard took $848,000 from the client’s account and wrote checks to himself. Overall, prosecutors said he scammed the victim out of more than $1 million.

The same IP address was used to access the accounts of Blizzard, his wife and the client, minutes apart, from 2017 to 2018, according to the affidavit.

Prosecutors say in fall 2019 the client learned his home was being foreclosed because Blizzard was not making payments that he pledged to handle.

“This defendant is charged with perpetrating a heartless scheme that preyed on a vulnerable elderly victim, allegedly stealing more than a million dollars,” Acting U.S. Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner said in a statement.

"As a result of the fraud, the victim’s house went into foreclosure and he owed the IRS at least $63,000," Lenzner said. "We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring to justice those who perpetrate these despicable schemes targeting elderly victims."

Anyone who believes they may be the victim of financial fraud may call the Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11, or 833-372-8311.