Raleigh Fraud Case: Red Flags to Know

Quick Answer: William Gauger III, former President of Encap Golf Holdings LLC, was indicted for extorting $100,000 from a financial consultant and fraudulent invoicing schemes. Gauger allegedly threatened the consultant with loss of future business unless he paid the money to Gauger’s brother-in-law for personal expenses.The former President of Encap Golf Holdings LLC (“Encap”), William …

Read more

Fraud Scheme Complaints: 180 Victims Lose $1M

Quick Answer: Seven members of an identity theft ring were charged with a $1M fraud scheme that used stolen identities of 180+ people to make fraudulent purchases at major NYC retailers like Home Depot and Kohl’s. Key red flags include manufactured fake driver’s licenses, resold merchandise for profit, and victims discovering the theft only when …

Read more

$1 Million Wire Fraud: Two Plead Guilty

Quick Answer: Two New Jersey men, Abiatu Umah and Emmanuel Awa, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering after stealing over $1 million using fake UK passports and fraudulent business accounts. They face up to 30 years in prison and $1 million in fines for the wire fraud charges alone.Two New Jersey men have …

Read more

Ponzi Schemes: Red Flags to Know Before You Sign

Quick Answer: Key Ponzi scheme red flags include promises of 25% returns in 30-60 days and fake documentation, as demonstrated by Jenifer Devine’s case where she defrauded investors of $8 million through her fake wholesale business. Devine received 37 months in prison for using new investor funds to pay existing investors rather than operating a …

Read more

Investment Fraud Scammer Gets Prison Sentence

Quick Answer: James DeAngelis received a 57-month prison sentence for defrauding over 15 victims of $800,000 through fake precious metals investment companies between 2005-2009. DeAngelis used investor funds for personal expenses including $45,000 at Atlantic City casinos and structured withdrawals to evade federal reporting requirements.James DeAngelis was sentenced last week to 57 months in prison …

Read more

Religious Fraud Schemes: Are They Legit?

Quick Answer: Religious fraud schemes are not legitimate, as demonstrated by Jamal Lawson’s indictment for wire fraud after collecting over $300,000 in advance fees from churches and small businesses while falsely promising $500 million in loans. Lawson used the funds for personal expenses instead of securing the promised financing through his companies Evangel Capital Group …

Read more

Credit Card Fraud Ringleader Gets 12 Years

Quick Answer: Jonathan Oliveras received a 12-year prison sentence for managing an East Coast credit card fraud ring that caused over $750,000 in losses. He must also serve three years supervised release and forfeit $770,646 after pleading guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges.An identity thief was sentenced earlier this month to 12 …

Read more

World Trade Center Cleanup Fraud: What to Know

Quick Answer: Trucking company owners Gerardo P. Fusella and Vincent J. Fusella Jr. were indicted on 31 counts of embezzlement, mail fraud, and tax evasion related to World Trade Center cleanup contracts. The defendants allegedly bribed union officials and hid drivers’ work hours to avoid paying required wages and benefit contributions between 2007-2009.A trucking company’s …

Read more

NJ Fake Hedge Fund Scam: Are Charges Legit?

Quick Answer: The charges against George Sepero and Carmelo Provenzano appear legitimate based on FBI arrests and detailed criminal complaints alleging wire fraud conspiracy. The men allegedly defrauded investors of $3.5 million through fake hedge funds, spending money on luxury items instead of promised foreign currency trading.Two men running a fake hedge fund scheme have …

Read more