New York, Dec 17: In a startling revelation, a former Facebook employee has been implicated in defrauding the social media giant of a staggering $4 million. The accused, identified as Barbara Farlow Smiles, allegedly engaged in a sophisticated scheme involving fake charges, fraudulent sellers, and cash kickback strategies.

Barbara Farlow Smiles served as the chief strategist at Facebook from 2017 to 2021, and during this period, she purportedly orchestrated a series of fraudulent activities. According to the US Attorney’s office, Smiles created fictitious bills for services never rendered and misappropriated funds through deceptive means.

The elaborate scheme involved linking the company’s credit card to digital payment platforms like PayPal and Venmo. Smiles then exploited services that were not legitimately applicable to the company’s card. As per the press release, Smiles utilized the embezzled funds to lead a luxurious lifestyle, including travels to California and Georgia.

The investigation further revealed that Smiles involved friends and relatives in her deceptive plan. By filing false expense reports, she allegedly received cash payments from merchants who believed they were settling legitimate business expenses.

“Barbara used her Facebook Expanse account to live a luxurious life,” stated the press release. Notably, the accused did not limit her unauthorized expenditures to personal luxuries but also diverted funds for expenses such as hair styling, babysitters, and pre-school tuition.

Facebook authorities, upon discovering the fraudulent activities, promptly reported the matter to law enforcement. The case underscores the challenges companies face in safeguarding their financial integrity and highlights the importance of robust internal controls to prevent such instances of embezzlement. As legal proceedings unfold, the former employee is expected to face charges related to fraud, theft, and financial misconduct.