Fake heiress gets prison time for scams

The Associated Press

NORRISTOWN, Pa. -- A woman accused of posing as a wealthy heiress to scam people out of thousands of dollars has been sentenced to prison for fraud.

Tereza Demoody, 49, a middle-class widow who police said talked her way into a $3,500-a-night suite at Philadelphia's Ritz-Carlton hotel and ran up a $32,000 limousine bill, was sentenced Friday to 11 1/2 to 23 months in prison for defrauding a real estate broker of $30,000.

She allegedly told people she was a beneficiary of a $47 million family fortune amassed by Polish immigrant Haym Solomon. Solomon actually died childless and broke.

When she asked for loans or credit, friends gave it to her believing she was wealthy and could pay it back, authorities said.

Real estate broker Harvey Sklaroff, 53, said he gave Demoody loans of $50,000 and $30,000 in 2001, with a promise of repayment at 20 percent interest.

Demoody was also ordered to pay the full $80,000 in restitution.