Michigan Photographer Sentenced to Five Years for $4.6M Modeling Fraud, Gambling Spree

A Michigan photographer has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for orchestrating an elaborate $4.6 million fraud scheme that exploited a family's trust and their young daughter's modeling aspirations. Chanise Coyne, 46, of New Boston, convinced the family that millions in advance fees were necessary to secure modeling opportunities for their daughter across the country. In reality, no modeling placements ever occurred. Instead, Coyne generated fraudulent documents, created fake text messages and emails, and impersonated third parties to perpetuate the deception while systematically misappropriating the family's funds.

Federal prosecutors revealed that Coyne's spending patterns following the theft demonstrate a reckless disregard for her victims' losses. While the exact gambling total was not disclosed in official statements, prosecutors documented that she engaged in 'significant' gambling activity, including multiple money-laundering transactions routed through online sportsbook FanDuel. Beyond the gaming venues, Coyne lavishly spent over $200,000 on Taylor Swift concert tickets in Florida while the fraud was actively ongoing, illustrating the brazen nature of her criminal conduct.

Coyne was initially charged with seven counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering. She entered a guilty plea in May to one count of wire fraud, formally admitting to obtaining $4,669,962.76 from the family. On September 21, a federal judge imposed the five-year prison sentence along with three years of supervised release and a full restitution order matching the amount stolen.

FBI Special Agent Jennifer Runyan characterized the case as a calculated predatory scheme rather than impulsive wrongdoing. The investigation revealed that Coyne's fraud extended beyond this single family. A Facebook group titled 'Chanise Coyne Scam Victims' has attracted over 360 members, many reporting patterns of cancelled photoshoots without refunds. In November 2024, local media discovered she had booked Christmas photoshoots with families and subsequently cancelled them after falsely claiming the Santa performer had contracted mpox, a claim the performer himself denied.

This case underscores an ongoing pattern in financial crime involving gambling operators and money laundering. The involvement of FanDuel in processing transactions tied to stolen funds highlights continued challenges in regulatory oversight of online sportsbooks and their transaction monitoring systems. As the iGaming and sportsbook sector continues to expand, particularly with recent state-by-state launches, questions persist regarding the adequacy of current anti-money laundering protocols at platforms handling consumer funds. While individual operators implement compliance frameworks, cases like Coyne's demonstrate that regulatory vigilance and coordination between financial institutions and law enforcement remain essential components of consumer protection in the broader gambling ecosystem.