Tag:

Wire Fraud

Couple Accused Of Posing As Pro Sports Players To Make Millions Couple Accused Of Posing As Pro Sports Players To Make Millions
Couple Accused Of Posing As Pro Sports Players To Make Millions A couple allegedly had a bold game plan: pretend to be the next big thing in professional sports and let the money roll in. Albert Paul Weber, 42, of Harvey, Louisiana, and Cyntrelle Lash, 39, of New Orleans, were indicted on Friday, April 24, on federal charges tied to a long-running scheme to impersonate professional athletes and pocket millions in fraudulent loans, the US Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana, announced. According to court documents, Weber, Lash, and their coconspirators targeted athletes who were on the verge of being drafted by NBA and NFL teams and stood to…
Illegal Immigrant Who Stole Kristi Noem’s Purse In DC To Be Deported After Prison Term: Feds Illegal Immigrant Who Stole Kristi Noem’s Purse In DC To Be Deported After Prison Term: Feds
Illegal Immigrant Who Stole Kristi Noem’s Purse In DC To Be Deported After Prison Term: Feds The Chilean national who stole former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's Gucci purse while she was dining in DC with family is facing more than just prison time. Mario Bustamante Leiva was sentenced on Wednesday, April 22, to 36 months in prison in connection with a series of thefts that culminated when he attempted to rob Noem. When he is released, Bustamante Leiva will be deported from the country. “Bustamante Leiva came to Washington illegally to prey on citizens of the District. He methodically targeted women at restaurants, stealing their purses and monetizing the stolen cards …
TEDx To Tax Evasion: Vertical Farming Visionary Jack Griffin Funnels Cash To Wife's Account TEDx To Tax Evasion: Vertical Farming Visionary Jack Griffin Funnels Cash To Wife's Account
TEDx To Tax Evasion: Vertical Farming Visionary Jack Griffin Funnels Cash To Wife's Account Jack Griffin told the world he was building the future of farming. He gave a TEDx Talk. He stood before Congress. He promised to wipe out food deserts with high-tech vertical farms that could grow strawberries on a second floor and turn kale into jet fuel. But federal investigators say Griffin was really just pocketing. And now he’s headed to prison, the FBI announced on Monday, Feb. 2. The Sentence Jack Frances “Jack” Griffin, 62, of Philadelphia, faced up to 20 years in prison for each wire fraud charge and five years for tax evasion. His sentencing was originally scheduled for Oct. 22,…
Duo Poses As Government Agents, Stealing Gold From Victims In New England (UPDATE) Duo Poses As Government Agents, Stealing Gold From Victims In New England (UPDATE)
Duo Poses As Government Agents, Stealing Gold From Victims In New England (Update) A New Jersey man accused in a sweeping gold-theft scam across five states has entered a guilty plea, his attorney confirmed to Daily Voice on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Bharat Awasarmol and co-defendant Prakashkumar Prajapati were previously indicted for a multistate wire fraud conspiracy that began in March 2023, according to a superseding indictment returned on Thursday, April 3. Prosecutors said the pair and their co-conspirators posed as government officials to trick victims into turning over cash and gold. Victims in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, and Virginia received telephone cal…
Ex-Eagles RB Wendell Smallwood Jr., Who Beat Patriots In Super Bowl, Sentenced In COVID Scam Ex-Eagles RB Wendell Smallwood Jr., Who Beat Patriots In Super Bowl, Sentenced In COVID Scam
Ex-Eagles RB Wendell Smallwood Jr., Who Beat Patriots In Super Bowl, Sentenced In COVID Scam Wendell Smallwood Jr., a former Philadelphia Eagles running back and Super Bowl champion, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the IRS in Wilmington, Delaware, on Thursday, Sept. 18, according to federal court documents obtained by Daily Voice. U.S. District Senior Judge Richard G. Andrews also ordered Smallwood, 31, to repay the government $645,000. The punishment comes after Smallwood pleaded guilty in December 2024 to orchestrating schemes that defrauded COVID-19 relief programs and the IRS. Smallwood earned about…
Jimmy Kimmel Gets Last Laugh As Appeals Court Tosses George Santos’ Cameo Lawsuit Jimmy Kimmel Gets Last Laugh As Appeals Court Tosses George Santos’ Cameo Lawsuit
Jimmy Kimmel Gets Last Laugh As Appeals Court Tosses George Santos’ Cameo Lawsuit Looks like the joke’s on George Santos. A federal appeals court rejected the disgraced former New York congressman’s lawsuit against Jimmy Kimmel, siding with the late-night host over his use of Santos’ Cameo videos that were used on-air. In a ruling Monday, Sept. 15, the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan said Santos’ copyright infringement claims were properly rejected by a lower court. Santos had accused Kimmel and ABC of deceiving him into creating personalized videos on the Cameo app that were later broadcast on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as part of a recurring bit called “Will Sant…
LimeWire Buys Fyre Festival's Infamous Brand, Asks 'What Could Possibly Go Wrong?' LimeWire Buys Fyre Festival's Infamous Brand, Asks 'What Could Possibly Go Wrong?'
LimeWire Buys Fyre Festival's Infamous Brand, Asks 'What Could Possibly Go Wrong?' A platform that defined the early days of online file sharing is teaming up with one of the most notorious failed music festivals. LimeWire has officially acquired the Fyre Festival brand, the once-defunct file-sharing service said in a news release on Tuesday, Sept. 16. The announcement poked fun at the infamous Fyre Festival's 2017 failure, asking "What Could Possibly Go Wrong?" Founder Billy McFarland sold Fyre's trademarks and social media accounts in a July eBay auction for $245,300. On a livestream, the Millburn, New Jersey, native said about the final price, "This…
$5M Grandparent Scam Targeted Hundreds; FBI Charges 13 In Scheme That Swindled Mass Residents $5M Grandparent Scam Targeted Hundreds; FBI Charges 13 In Scheme That Swindled Mass Residents
$5M Grandparent Scam Targeted Hundreds; FBI Charges 13 In Scheme That Swindled Mass Residents The phone rings in the middle of the night. It’s a family member, and they’re in trouble. A misunderstanding or mistake has put them in a serious bind, and they need thousands of dollars — immediately — or they're in big trouble.  Hundreds of people have received calls like that, but they were fake. Federal investigators call it the “grandparent scam.” The scheme allegedly targeted hundreds of older Americans — including at least 50 in Massachusetts — and stole more than $5 million, according to the US Attorney for Massachusetts. Federal prosecutors say they’ve charged 13 people who “r…
$140K Fraud Committed By Former PA Senator's Aide Scamming Church, Supporters $140K Fraud Committed By Former PA Senator's Aide Scamming Church, Supporters
$140K Fraud Committed By Former PA Senator's Aide Scamming Church, Supporters A former aide to Pennsylvania state Sen. Vincent Hughes admitted to stealing more than $140,000 from a North Philadelphia church where he was a deacon and from a city political ward he led, the FBI announced on Saturday, Aug. 2.  Willie Jordan, 68, of Upper Darby, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle III to two counts of wire fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on Wednesday, July 30. From 2020 to 2024, Jordan exploited his roles at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and Philadelphia’s 44th Ward for personal benefit, court d…
George Santos Surrenders To NJ Prison: Inside His New Life Behind Bars George Santos Surrenders To NJ Prison: Inside His New Life Behind Bars
George Santos Surrenders To NJ Prison: Inside His New Life Behind Bars Disgraced former New York Rep. George Santos is officially trading Cameo videos for commissary lines. The ousted lawmaker, 37, surrendered to Federal Correctional Institution Fairton in New Jersey on Friday, July 25, to begin serving his seven-year sentence for wire fraud and identity theft. And, true to form, Santos did not go quietly: “Well, darlings… The curtain falls, the spotlight dims, and the rhinestones are packed,” Santos told his 211,000 followers on X the night before. “From the halls of Congress to the chaos of cable news, what a ride it’s been! Was it messy? Always. Glamorous…
Fyre Festival Brand Sold On eBay For Disappointing Price: 'This Sucks, It's So Low' Fyre Festival Brand Sold On eBay For Disappointing Price: 'This Sucks, It's So Low'
Fyre Festival Brand Sold On eBay For Disappointing Price: 'This Sucks, It's So Low' The name synonymous with a failed music festival, fraud, and bland cheese sandwiches has been sold on eBay. A bidder purchased Fyre Festival's notorious brand, trademarks, and social media accounts for $245,300 on Tuesday, July 15. The eBay auction ended at 12:44 p.m., closing a chapter in one of the most infamous stories in music festival history. According to the eBay listing, 42 bidders placed 175 bids in the auction. The brand's winning bidder hasn't been announced as of press time. The listing claimed the winner would have access to "the most talked-about festival brand in t…
$5.6M Multi-State Fraud Scheme With 1K+ Stolen IDs Lands Pennsylvania Man Federal Charges: DOJ $5.6M Multi-State Fraud Scheme With 1K+ Stolen IDs Lands Pennsylvania Man Federal Charges: DOJ
$5.6M Multi-State Fraud Scheme With 1K+ Stolen IDs Lands Pennsylvania Man Federal Charges: DOJ A Pennsylvania man is accused of stealing over $5.6 million in pandemic aid using more than 1,000 stolen or fake identities, federal prosecutors announced on Monday, June 16. Adepoju Babatunde Salako, 32, has been indicted in Colorado on multiple federal charges after allegedly orchestrating a nationwide COVID-19 benefits scam, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado. Salako faces six counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and four counts of aggravated identity theft, according to t…
Taylor Swift's Neighbor, Distinguished PA Educator-Turned-Art Dealer Pleads Guilty In Art Scam Taylor Swift's Neighbor, Distinguished PA Educator-Turned-Art Dealer Pleads Guilty In Art Scam
Taylor Swift's Neighbor, Distinguished PA Educator-Turned-Art Dealer Pleads Guilty In Art Scam A former Hill School admissions director and neighbor of pop icon Taylor Swift pleaded guilty to selling fake artwork he falsely claimed was created by some of the world’s most legendary artists, federal authorities announced on Tuesday, June 3. Carter P. Reese, 77, of Reading, admitted in federal court on Thursday, May 29, to wire fraud and mail fraud for a two-year scheme that duped customers into buying forged works he said came from Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and others, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Once respect…
Randolph Duo Admits To $3.2M Ponzi Scheme That Took Locals' Life Savings Randolph Duo Admits To $3.2M Ponzi Scheme That Took Locals' Life Savings
Randolph Duo Admits To $3.2M Ponzi Scheme That Took Locals' Life Savings Dozens of people — including some who handed over their life savings — were defrauded out of more than $3 million by a Randolph couple who now admit to running a Ponzi scheme, according to federal officials. Milendophe Duperier, 33, and Vanessa Joseph, 26, have agreed to plead guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Court dates for their plea hearings have not yet been set. According to prosecutors, Duperier posed as an investment advisor, convincing locals to hand over money with the promise it would be used to buy securiti…
Lyin’ King George Santos Sentenced To Prison In Final Act Of Political Circus Lyin’ King George Santos Sentenced To Prison In Final Act Of Political Circus
Lyin’ King George Santos Sentenced To Prison In Final Act Of Political Circus Disgraced former New York congressman and convicted fraudster George Santos is heading to federal prison. The Republican ex-lawmaker, 36, was sentenced to 87 months (just over 7 years) behind bars in Central Islip federal court on Friday, April 25, months after pleading guilty to wire fraud and identity theft.  As part of his plea agreement, Santos agreed to pay a $200,000 forfeiture and over $373,000 in restitution to his victims. Friday’s sentencing capped off one of the most bizarre chapters in American political history, one in which a sitting member of Congress was expelled and l…
Seen Her? Woman Behind Alleged $4B Ponzi-Style Scheme Among FBI's Top 10 Most Wanted Seen Her? Woman Behind Alleged $4B Ponzi-Style Scheme Among FBI's Top 10 Most Wanted
Seen Her? Woman Behind Alleged $4B Ponzi-Style Scheme Among FBI's Top 10 Most Wanted She promised the next Bitcoin. What investors got instead was a $4 billion black hole—and a fugitive who hasn’t been seen since 2017. Ruja Ignatova, the woman once known as the “Cryptoqueen,” remains one of the world’s most elusive fugitives and is currently on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list.  The founder of the fraudulent cryptocurrency OneCoin, Ignatova is accused of orchestrating a massive Ponzi-style scheme that duped investors around the globe out of billions. Authorities say the scam began in 2014, when Ignatova launched OneCoin Ltd., a Bulgaria-based company that marketed itself…
Sean Kingston, Mom Federally Convicted In $1M Wire Fraud Scheme, Report Says Sean Kingston, Mom Federally Convicted In $1M Wire Fraud Scheme, Report Says
Sean Kingston, Mom Federally Convicted In $1M Wire Fraud Scheme, Report Says Rapper Sean Kingston and his mom Janice Turner have been convicted in a million-dollar luxury goods fraud scheme that prosecutors say involved bogus wire transfers, fake bank documents, and a whole lot of bling they never paid for, officials announced. After more than 3½ hours of deliberation, a Florida jury on Friday, March 28, found Kingston, 34, and Turner, 61, guilty of federal wire fraud, NBC News reports. Kingston was ordered to house arrest with electronic monitoring and must post a surety bond including a home worth $500,000 and $200,000 in cash, NBC said. Turner will remain in fede…
$44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever $44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever
$44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever Seven New Yorkers have been charged in a sweeping tax fraud scheme, accused of exploiting pandemic relief programs to steal over $44 million, federal prosecutors announced. The indictment by the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, unsealed Wednesday, Jan. 22, alleges that the defendants filed over 8,000 fraudulent tax returns, seeking more than $600 million in COVID-19 relief funds through the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and related programs. Investigators determined the group successfully secured $44 million from the federal government. Defendants Long Island …
COVID-19: John Gotti's Grandson Admits To $1M Relief Fraud COVID-19: John Gotti's Grandson Admits To $1M Relief Fraud
Covid-19: John Gotti's Grandson Admits To $1M Relief Fraud A New York man with ties to the Mafia formally confessed to a million-dollar COVID-19 relief fraud scheme. Long Island resident Carmine Agnello, age 38, of Smithtown, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in Central Islip federal court on Thursday, Sept. 26. Agnello is the grandson of the late John Gotti, former boss of the Gambino organized crime family. According to prosecutors, between April 2020 and November 2021, he fraudulently applied for, and received, at least three small business loans under the US Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDLP). The program…
Ousted Rep. George Santos  Likely To Face Prison After Pleading Guilty In Fraud Case Ousted Rep. George Santos  Likely To Face Prison After Pleading Guilty In Fraud Case
Ousted Rep. George Santos Likely To Face Prison After Pleading Guilty In Fraud Case Former Republican Congressman George Santos admitted to committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in a federal court on Monday, Aug. 19, authorities announced.  The 36-year-old former inhabitant of New York's 3rd Congressional District seat on Long Island was facing 23 felonies, and a trial set to begin next month.  A federal judge will sentence Santos on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York said. According to federal sentencing guidelines, aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year minimum sentence.&n…
Ex-Rep. Santos To Plead Guilty In Federal Trial: Reports Ex-Rep. Santos To Plead Guilty In Federal Trial: Reports
Ex-Rep. Santos To Plead Guilty In Federal Trial: Reports Former Republican Rep. George Santos is expected to plead guilty to federal charges weeks ahead of his upcoming trial, multiple news outlets are reporting.  The 36-year-old Santos, who represented New York's 3rd Congressional District, faces 23 federal charges including identity theft, wire fraud, money laundering, and lying to Congress.  NBC News reported that Santos' lawyers and federal investigators are hammering out a plea deal on some of those charges that will be presented to a judge on Monday, Aug. 19. The details on that agreement, which charges he will admit to, and …
Ex-Rep Santos Celebrates 'Squad' Member's 'Humiliating' Loss: 'We're Coming To Get You' Ex-Rep Santos Celebrates 'Squad' Member's 'Humiliating' Loss: 'We're Coming To Get You'
Ex-Rep Santos Celebrates 'Squad' Member's 'Humiliating' Loss: 'We're Coming To Get You' Former Rep. George Santos may have been banished out into the political cold, but he's kept his grudges hot.  The 36-year-old former Republican who served New York's 3rd District posted a video Tuesday night, Aug. 6, celebrating after another member of the so-called "Squad" lost her primary. Related: Santos Announces Comeback Bid After Being Ousted From Congress Rep. Cori Bush, who has served Missouri's 1st District since 2021, lost her bid on Tuesday to remain on the Democratic ticket to local prosecutor Wesley Bell, who garnered 51 percent of the vote to Bush's 45, according to NBC News.…
Mass. Man Admits To Stealing Money Meant For Veteran Suicide Prevention: Feds Mass. Man Admits To Stealing Money Meant For Veteran Suicide Prevention: Feds
Mass. Man Admits To Stealing Money Meant For Veteran Suicide Prevention: Feds A Haverhill man pleaded guilty to siphoning nearly $50,000 from a nonprofit focusing on helping veterans considering suicide to use on OnlyFans models and a cruise, authorities announced.  David Duren, 48, admitted to wire fraud on Monday, July 1, the US Attorney for New Hampshire said. He faces up to 20 years in prison during his sentencing on Oct. 10.  Duren was a program manager at a healthcare provider in Nashua, New Hampshire, and oversaw a $750,000 program funded by a Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant. The money was earmarked for treatments and services for ve…
Postal Employee Who Embezzled $90K Gets 18 Months In Prison, Must Pay Restitution: Feds Postal Employee Who Embezzled $90K Gets 18 Months In Prison, Must Pay Restitution: Feds
Postal Employee Who Embezzled $90K Gets 18 Months In Prison, Must Pay Restitution: Feds A former US Postal Service employee who was convicted of stealing $90,000 will spend the next 18 months behind bars, authorities announced on Tuesday, June 11.  Jamesa Rankins, 27, of Brockton, was found guilty in November of one count of theft of government money and three counts of wire fraud, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. She was ordered to spend 18 months in federal prison and repay the $104,698 she embezzled from the Postal Service.  Rankins worked as a Sales & Service Distribution Associate at the Montello Post office in Brockton for approximately four and a ha…
Brookline Woman Admits To $650K Embezzlement Scheme From Medical Practice: Feds Brookline Woman Admits To $650K Embezzlement Scheme From Medical Practice: Feds
Brookline Woman Admits To $650K Embezzlement Scheme From Medical Practice: Feds An ex-office manager from a Brookline medical practice admitted to stealing more than $650,000 from her former employer, authorities said Friday, May 24.  Kathleen Libby, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and will be sentenced on Sept. 4, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. She faces up to 20 years in federal prison.  Libby was accused of stealing from her former employer in multiple ways, including creating a fake vendor named "Medline Surgical Supplies" to which she would send PayPal payments, the prosecutor said.  She used the money to buy items from …