Serial Fraudster Previously Extradited from Mexico Pleads Guilty to Multiple Investment Fraud Schemes
A California man was extradited from Mexico on March 8 and pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering charges for two high-yield investment fraud schemes.
According to court documents, Daniel Thomas Broyles Sr., aka Dan Thomas, aka Daniel Cruz Torrez, 64, of Malibu, participated in a high-yield investment fraud scheme...
Nearly 40,000 Victims Receive Over $115M in Compensation for Fraud Schemes Processed by MoneyGram
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) announced today the disbursement of over $115 million to 38,889 victims in connection with fraud schemes processed by MoneyGram International Inc. (MoneyGram). The victims, many of whom are elderly, will recover the full amount of their losses.
“This distribution of $115.8 million to nearly 40,000 victims – each of whom is being fully compensated...
Doctor Convicted for $5.4M Medicare Fraud Scheme
A federal jury convicted a New Jersey doctor last week for causing the submission of over $5.4 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for orthotic braces ordered through a telemarketing scheme.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Adarsh Gupta, M.D., 51, of Sewell, signed thousands of prescriptions for orthotic braces for over 2,900 Medicare beneficiaries whom he...
Simi Valley Man Sentenced to Over 4 Years in Prison for Fraudulently Obtaining More Than $1 Million in COVID Business Loans
LOS ANGELES – A Ventura County man who schemed with an Orange County man to illegally acquire disaster relief funds was sentenced today to 51 months in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining more than $1 million in loans intended to help businesses weather the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic fallout.
Manuel Asadurian, 66, of Simi Valley, was sentenced by United States District...
FTC: Reports of romance scams hit record highs in 2021
Online dating can be a great way to find lasting love – or even your next fling. But reports to the FTC suggest it also creates opportunities for scammers. In the past five years, people have reported losing a staggering $1.3 billion to romance scams, more than any other FTC fraud category. The numbers have skyrocketed in recent years,...
SEC Charges 18 Defendants in International Scheme to Manipulate Stocks Using Hacked US Brokerage Accounts
The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged 18 individuals and entities for their roles in a fraudulent scheme in which dozens of online retail brokerage accounts were hacked and improperly used to purchase microcap stocks to manipulate the price and trading volume of those stocks. Those charged include Rahim Mohamed of Alberta, Canada, who is alleged to have coordinated...
CA doubles down on war against illegal sale of tobacco products to youth
Attorney General Announces New Funding Available for Local Governments Through the 2024-2025 Tobacco Grant Program
OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced that the California Department of Justice is now accepting proposals for the 2024-2025 Tobacco Grant Program. The program aims to reduce the illegal sale of tobacco products by providing approximately $28.5 million in grant funding to eligible local agencies. Local public...
Founder of $1.7 Billion “HyperFund” Crypto Pyramid Scheme and Top Promoter Charged with Fraud
Promoter Brenda Chunga (aka Bitcoin Beautee) agrees to settle fraud and unregistered offering charges
Washington D.C., Jan. 29, 2024 — The Securities and Exchange Commission this week charged Xue Lee (aka Sam Lee) and Brenda Chunga (aka Bitcoin Beautee) for their involvement in a fraudulent crypto asset pyramid scheme known as HyperFund that raised more than $1.7 billion from investors...
DOJ charges six individuals with cryptocurrency fraud over $100M in intended losses
The Department of Justice, together with federal law enforcement partners, has announced criminal charges against six defendants in four separate cases for their alleged involvement in cryptocurrency-related fraud, including the largest known Non-Fungible Token (NFT) scheme charged to date, a fraudulent investment fund that purportedly traded on cryptocurrency exchanges, a global Ponzi scheme involving the sale of unregistered crypto...