Investigations

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Atlanta Man For His Role In Romance Fraud Scheme

This recent FBI Bulletin regarding romance fraud sadly calls to our attention those who continue to prey on the vulnerable in our society. This crime, laughable to some, continues because it regrettably works, and works well. According to the Federal Trade Commission, reported romance scams reached a record $304 million in losses in 2020. What’s …

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Acting U.S. Attorney DeHart Urges Public to be Vigilant of Internet Crimes, After South Carolinians Lost More Than $30 Million in 2020 to Cybercriminals

Charleston, South Carolina — Acting United States Attorney M. Rhett DeHart announced today that, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s 2020 Internet Crime Report, South Carolinians lost more than $30 million to cyber criminals in the past year.  Acting U.S. Attorney DeHart urges the public to remain vigilant of cybercrimes, so they do not fall victim. “Cybercrimes …

Acting U.S. Attorney DeHart Urges Public to be Vigilant of Internet Crimes, After South Carolinians Lost More Than $30 Million in 2020 to Cybercriminals Read More »

Albany Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud Conspiracy in Connection with Romance Scams

It is becoming increasingly difficult to keep track to the growing body of cases involving Internet-based “romance fraud.” Sadly, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reports that “romance fraud is the seventh-most reported scam” (IC3 Public Service Announcement, 8/15/2019). While your chances of being targeted are statistically remote, it is clear that  scammers are …

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Department of Justice Charges Unprecedented Number of Elder Fraud Defendants Nationwide and Launches Hotline

PORTLAND—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams joined Attorney General William P. Barr, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray, and Chief Postal Inspector Gary R. Barksdale today in announcing the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in history. This year, prosecutors charged more than 400 defendants, far surpassing the 260 defendants charged in cases as part of …

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Founder of Mantria Corp. Sentenced to 22 Years For Operating $54 Million Ponzi Scheme

In this August 22 press release, the U.S. Attorney in Philadelphia describes how unscrupulous businessmen defrauded trusting investors by promising unrealistic returns on their investment. In fact, one was so brazen that he created a second fraudulent investment while on bail from the original fraud. No matter where you live, or what the nature of the investment …

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Former South Carolina Resident Sentenced to Federal Prison for Charity Fraud Scheme Targeting Marine Corps Families

Columbia, South Carolina—- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that John  Shannon  Simpson, age 44, of Lee County, Florida, was sentenced in federal court after pleading guilty to Wire Fraud.  United States District Judge David C. Norton of Charleston sentenced Simpson to four years in federal prison and three years of supervised release …

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Keith Raniere, Founder of Cultlike Group, Convicted of Racketeering, Sex Trafficking

This article in the Wall Street Journal brings to a (judicial) conclusion the sad story of a fraudulent business purporting to be a self-improvement organization. Its underlying focus on financial, personal, and sexual manipulation of members is revealed rather quickly, though seemingly is unreported early on. Unfortunately, law enforcement would have likely declined any investigative …

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Fake German heiress convicted of bilking banks, businesses

  Unfortunately, revelations of this kind of business and personal fraud are not rare. Even in the face of some common sense indicators, businesses, banks, and individuals were taken in by the fake heiress. Sadly, a business and personal due diligence investigation may well have identified her as a fraud before they were taken in. …

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Man Sentenced to Prison for Vending Machine Scam

  In this story from the FBI, dishonest people took advantage of both unsuspecting consumers and business associates by defrauding them. One unfortunate aspect of this story is that their business partners appear to have been unaware of their previous criminal history. While background checks and due diligence analysis can’t always guarantee a deception-free transaction, …

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