business

• Super Bowl Scams On The Rise

  ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL…. scams? The Better Business Bureau (BBB) publicly announced a warning to consumers this week to be on high alert for super bowl scams; specifically knock-off team jerseys, counterfeit memorabilia and phony...

  • Posted January 26, 2012
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• FTC Halts Fake News Sites About Deceitful Acai Berry Weight-Loss Products

  We’ve covered the deceitful acai berry weight-loss products over the past year on our site (see here, here and here). It was announced on Wednesday that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has stopped six operators from using...

  • Posted January 26, 2012
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• A 25 Count Indictment For Investment Scheme Fraudster Announced

  A federal grand jury in Pheonix returned a 25 count indictment against Gerald Lee Kelly on four counts of wire fraud, six counts of mail fraud, 10 counts of money laundering and five counts of structuring financial...

  • Posted January 25, 2012
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• FTC And CFPB Pledge To Work Together To Protect Consumers

  It was announced today that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have signed an agreement to coordinate efforts to protect consumers in an effort to avoid duplication of federal law enforcement...

  • Posted January 23, 2012
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• Ponzi Schemes Are The New Black

  Thirteen days into the year and I feel like all I’ve written about is Ponzi-scheme after Ponzi-scheme after Ponzi-scheme. Today I bring to you the sentencing of Jenifer Devine, the woman who owned a purported wholesale merchandise...

  • Posted January 13, 2012
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• Contractors Beware! $99 Advance Fee Job Scam

  It was announced yesterday that the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is alerting contractors across the country to be on the look out for telephone solicitors attempting to convince them to sign up for an online program that...

  • Posted January 12, 2012
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• Largest Recruiter Of Shapiro’s $930 Million Ponzi Scheme Sentenced

  Sydney Jack Williams of Naples, Florida was sentenced today to a year and a day in prison for failing to report more than $12 million to the IRS in related commissions received in Nevin Shapiro’s $930 million...

  • Posted January 11, 2012
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• Romanian Citizen Busted For $1.5 Million Fraud Ring Of HSBC Customers

  Last Thursday it was announced that Laurentiu Ilian Bulat was arrested yesterday for allegedly participating in a fraud ring that stole at least $1.5 million from HSBC customer bank accounts by installing “skimming” devices on more than...

  • Posted January 10, 2012
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• Investment Advisor Defrauds Clients Out Of Retirement Funds

  Apparently an Illinois investment advisor, Steven Salutric, engaged in an investment fraud that swindled the retirement savings of 10 elderly clients to lose more than $4.26 million. Salutric was charged with one count wire fraud in a...

  • Posted January 5, 2012
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• Don’t Spit In That Cop’s Burger – MA State Trooper Arrested For Extortion

  Yesterday Massachusetts State Trooper, John Analetto, was charged with extortion and loansharking relating charges including the collection of extension of credit by extortionate means. The complaint alleges that between Oct. 2011 to present, Analetto loaned money to...

  • Posted January 4, 2012
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• Six Hundred Out Of $74 Million In Ponzi Scheme

  Douglas Vaughan faces 10 to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to wire and mail fraud charges that involved his operation of a “Ponzi” scheme where he defrauded around 600 investors of more than $74 million....

  • Posted January 4, 2012
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• Six Required To Pay Millions From “U.S. Homeowners Relief” Scheme

  The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced they are requiring “U.S. Homeowners Relief” defendants to pay millions in their settlement along with banning them from the debt and mortgage relief business. The FTC had charged six defendants (that...

  • Posted December 29, 2011
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• Two More Charged In Rothstein Billion Dollar Fraud Scheme

  On the first of this month it was announced that two more Rothstein Associates were charged in connection with the billion dollar fraud scheme. Announced was the filing of charges against William Boockvor and Marybeth Feiss for...

  • Posted December 26, 2011
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• To Catch A Financial Predator

  Yesterday it was announced in Illinois that Edward Lynn Moskop was sentenced to the maximum statutory penalties of 240 months in prison for mail fraud and 120 months for money laundering. This 360 month (30 year sentence)...

  • Posted December 14, 2011
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• Witness Murdered Over $513,563 Bank Fraud Scheme

  From May 2009 through November of 2011 it’s been alleged that two men, Tavon Dameon Davis and Bruce Eric Byrd, among others were involved in a scheme to steal money orders and checks from rent deposit boxes...

  • Posted December 12, 2011
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• State Government Uniform Scam? That’s New…

  A Massachusetts man was sentenced last week to 8.5 years in prison for a 20-year Ponzi scheme and ordered to pay over $17 million in recitation to over 200 victims. Richard Elkinson was sentenced to 102 months...

  • Posted December 8, 2011
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• Previously Convicted Scammer Heads Back To Prison

  I really don’t understand why criminals who have failed previous times in the past at committing a crime honestly think they have what it takes to commit it again. Last month Jon Edward Hankins was sentenced to...

  • Posted December 5, 2011
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• Krahl Construction Executives And Employees Indicted In Alleged Fraud And Kickback Scheme

  Construction company executives and employees, along with others, have been indicted in an alleged billing fraud and kickback scheme. Krahl Construction’s Principal owner and six of it’s top executives and employees along with two former employees of...

  • Posted December 1, 2011
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• Mid-2000s Multimillion Dollar Fraudster Finally Gets Sentenced

  In the mid-2000s Clarence Allen Rice, owner of C & J Leasing Corporation, ran a complex, multimillion dollar wire fraud scheme to which he was just sentenced to a term of 70 months in prison for earlier...

  • Posted November 30, 2011
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• Three Plea Not Guilty In Skimming Scam Across Southern New England

  Three New York residents were charged last week with an indictment charging them with conspiracy, bank fraud and identity theft offenses related to an alleged participation in an ATM “skimming” scheme across southern New England. Gabriela Graham...

  • Posted November 30, 2011
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• Former Owner And President Of Allied Health Care Sentenced For $135 Million Phony Lease Scheme

  Former owner and president of Allied Heath Care Services, Charles Schwartz, was sentenced last week to 195 months in prison (16.25 years) for organizing and executing a $135 million phony lease scheme that losses of more than...

  • Posted November 30, 2011
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• If At First You Don’t Succeed, Commit Fraud and Fail Again : Defrauding From Behind Bars

  Three defendants have been sentenced to federal prison on charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft; one man committing fraud from prison. According to United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates, the charges and other information presented...

  • Posted November 29, 2011
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• FTC Continues TSR Crack Down

  As part of its ongoing efforts to crack down on illegal pre-recorded robocalls, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is taking action against an operation that allegedly helped clients make illegal robocalls, call phone numbers on the National...

  • Posted November 28, 2011
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• Arizona Telemarking Scam Leaves 5,000 Out Of Over $6.3 Million

  Earlier this month word broke when a complaint was issued against four Arizona LLCs and 11 Arizonians that Arizona telemarketers had defrauded almost 5,000 people out of over $6.3 million. These criminals conducted a scam that used...

  • Posted November 22, 2011
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• Jade Capital & Investments Indicted In Alleged $37 Million Fraud

  Jade Capital & Investments and its owners Joon Park (aka Joon Pak / Joon Paik) and his brother Loren Young Park (aka Loren Young Park / Yong Park) have been indicted on charges in connection to a...

  • Posted November 18, 2011
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• Must Have Black Friday Shopping Tips!

  We are officially one week away from my favorite and most dreaded shopping day of the year. That’s right folks, Black Friday is here! The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has released an excellent Black Friday shopping tip...

  • Posted November 18, 2011
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• Former President And Finance Director Of The Speculated US Posterscope Accused Of A $20 Million Accounting Fraud

  Earlier this month it was announced that the former president and finance director of one of the world’s largest outdoor advertising companies (speculated to be US Posterscope), have been accused of engaging in a five year long...

  • Posted November 17, 2011
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• You Are Cordially Invited To The FTC’s Road Ahead Roundtable

  Today, the Federal Trade Commission will host the third in a series of roundtables around the country to gather information on consumers’ experiences in the leasing of motor vehicles at dealerships. The roundtable also will address what...

  • Posted November 17, 2011
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• Hope Now Schemers Officially Out Of The Mortgage Business

  It’s official! The last remaining defendants in an allegedly fraudulent mortgage modification scheme called “Hope Now” have settled with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that will permanently ban them from the mortgage assistance and relief business. They...

  • Posted November 16, 2011
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• If You’re Catering To Criminals, You’re Probably A Criminal

  I’ve never really thought or paid much mind to where a criminal would buy a car. Have you? I mean, think about it, you’d figure if someone was hiding from the police or the Internal Revenue Service...

  • Posted November 15, 2011
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• What Makes A Scam WISE?

  In conjunction with a $15 million fraudulent investment scheme Duane Allen Eddings was found guilty of wire fraud, money laundering, bankruptcy fraud and tax evasion. Talk about a financial mess! According to court documents and evidence presented...

  • Posted November 15, 2011
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• Home Repair Scheme Targeted Elderly Homeowners

  Last week a jury convicted two brothers in Chicago after running and operating a home-repair scheme that targeted elderly victims on the south and west sides of Chicago. At their trial six victims testified that they were...

  • Posted November 15, 2011
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• $78 Million Mortgage Fraud “Dream Home” Scheme Owner Convicted

  Andrew Hamilton Williams, Jr., was convicted last week in Maryland of fraud conspiracy, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection to a massive mortgage fraud scheme. The scheme, entitled “Metro Dream Homes” promised to...

  • Posted November 14, 2011
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• Is Bank Of America Taking Advantage Of The Unemployed With Debit Card Fees?

  The state of South Carolina and Bank of America have teamed up together to administer unemployment benefits to South Carolina residents. Unemployment benefits used to come in the form of a check but are now being issued...

  • Posted November 10, 2011
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• Scam Recovery Kits Business Continues To Scam Buy Selling Scam Recovery Kits

  (Try saying that title ten times fast) In March of this year the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stepped up it’s efforts against scams that targeted financially strapped consumers with more than 90 actions brought by the commission...

  • Posted November 9, 2011
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• FTC Settles Charges Against Children’s Social Media Network After Collecting Personal Information Without Parental Consent

  The operator of SkidEKids.com has settled charges from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) after collecting children’s information without parental consent. The website, SkidEKids.com, has been marketed and advertised as a website similar to Facebook or Myspace but...

  • Posted November 8, 2011
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• Mother Daughter Fraud Team Pleads Guilty After Five Days Of Trial

  Mid-trial a mother and daughter fraudster team, along with an accomplice from Las Vegas, pleaded guilty to participating in a mortgage fraud scheme that lead to more than $1.9 million in mortgage loan losses to lenders. Mother,...

  • Posted November 7, 2011
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• Franklin Drywall Cheats The Law And The Law Won

  The owner and president of Franklin Drywall was sentenced in federal court last week for one count of providing false statements to two labor union pension and benefit funds. These acts by this Little Canada-based union sheet-rocking...

  • Posted November 7, 2011
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• Two Liberian Nationals Arrested In Black Money Scheme

  Two Liberian nationals have been arrested on criminal complaints charging them after allegedly defrauding a man out of $100,000 in a “black money” scheme. According to Affidavits in support of the Criminal Complaints, it is alleged that...

  • Posted November 4, 2011
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• Online Shopping Tips For The Holiday Shopping On The Horizon

  I feel it’s safe to assume that since Halloween is now over we can officially label this time of the year as the Holiday Season! Which I am super excited about! I love Thanksgiving and December’s holidays...

  • Posted November 4, 2011
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• Transcontinental Warranty Fake Auto-Service Warranties Lands Execs In Prison

  After pitching $40 million in fake auto-service warranties two former telemarketing executives are sentenced to five years in prison and a fine of $15,000 each. Christopher Cowart and Cris Sagnelli of Florida pleaded guilty last December to...

  • Posted November 3, 2011
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• New Defendant Named In $105 Million Ponzi Scheme

  A pending federal case investigating a $105 million “ponzi” scheme has charged a new defendant in the case. Newly added defendant, Alfred Gerebizza, is alleged that he and co-defendant Daniel Spitzer engaged in a ponzi scheme that...

  • Posted November 2, 2011
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• Did You Win $2.5 Million And A Mercedes Benz From The BBB? I Didn’t Think So…

  If you receive a phone call claiming that you’ve won $2.5 million and a Mercedes Benz from a “representative” of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) be wary and hang up! The BBB put out a warning today...

  • Posted November 2, 2011
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• Chimney Sweep Scams Sweeping The Country

  You know, I moved to the South in an attempt to prolong warm weather enjoyment and avoid winter and cold weather, however, this year like many others I’ve found an early winter and cold autumn nights. In...

  • Posted November 2, 2011
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• Second Annual Small Business Saturday Could Mean Deal For American Express Cardholders

  November hosts Small Business Saturday! Never heard of it? Me either. But apparently in honor of the day which is dedicated to small businesses on the busiest shopping weekend of the year the Better Business Bureau (BBB)...

  • Posted November 2, 2011
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• Former Chief Accountant Of Beazer Homes Convicted Of Fraud

  Last Friday former chief accounting officer, Michael Rand, for Beazer Homes was convicted for seven crimes relating to an accounting fraud conspiracy at Beazer over a seven year time span along with document destruction and obstruction of...

  • Posted November 2, 2011
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• North Carolina Man Is Seventh Convicted Of $40 Million Black Diamond Ponzi Scheme

  It was announced last week that Bryan Keith Coats of Clayton, North Carolina plead guilty to his role in connection with the Black Diamoind Ponzi Scheme Investigation that resulted in a $40 million investment fraud conspiracy. Coats...

  • Posted November 1, 2011
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• Bank Of America Backs Off $5 Debit Card Fees After Anti-Fee Petition Skyrockets

  Just one month ago I wrote about the implementation of debit card fees coming into play for big banks such as Chase, Wells Fargo and most notably Bank of America. Due to the change in a new...

  • Posted October 31, 2011
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• BBB Warns of StubHub E-mail Scam

  The Better Business Bureau (BBB) announced last week that a new phishing scam could be hitting an e-mail inbox near you! False e-mails are being sent from what appears to be ticketing sales site, StubHub (you know,...

  • Posted October 31, 2011
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• Commonwealth Temporary Services Owner Sentenced For “One Of The Most Egregious Tax Evasion Schemes”

  It was announced on October 26, 2011 that Michael Powers, former owner of Commonwealth Temporary Services, a temporary employment agency, has been sentenced to seven years in prison in “one of the most egregious tax evasion schemes”...

  • Posted October 28, 2011
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