The ringleader of a $4 million international telemarketing scheme that defrauded US citizens has been convicted of wire fraud and money laundering.
A federal bureau in North Carolina has convicted a Costa Rican national of running a multi-year fraudulent telemarketing scheme. He and his accomplices, posing as officials of the US government, misled citizens, mostly elderly people, by promising them winnings in the “lottery”. The attackers convinced the victims that in order to receive the prize, they had to pay upfront payments to cover taxes and other fees. Roger ran the scheme from Costa Rica, using fake names and documents to defraud, and enlisting accomplices to wire money from victims. The amount of stolen funds exceeded 4 million dollars.
He used VoIP technology to hide his true location and posed as American officials. He organized the work of the call center in Costa Rica, from where he coordinated his actions. The victims were mostly elderly US citizens, whom the attackers forced to pay various fees in order to “get a profit”. During the trial, it was proven that the victims suffered more than 4 million dollars in damages.
Fraudsters, posing as officials, promised lottery winnings while forcing victims to pay taxes and fees. The amount of stolen funds exceeded 4 million dollars. The case was investigated by US federal authorities with the participation of international partners. The perpetrator was convicted of fraud and money laundering. He faces up to 25 years in prison on each charge.
Roger was found guilty of all charges and is currently awaiting sentencing. He faces up to 25 years in prison for each fraud count and up to 20 years for money laundering.