Scams

Man used fraudulent cashier’s checks to order $271,000 fresh meat, shrimp

September 25, 2007 -- TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that a Miami man who was accused of defrauding businesses out of more than $271,000 has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to a charge of organized fraud. David Subil, 36, was prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.    » read more »

BALTIMORE, MD (September 24, 2007) - Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that the Securities Division of his Office has ordered Ardin Logistics, LLC, and three of its principals to cease and desist from further engaging in investment-related activities – an alleged ponzi scheme that has attracted investors from both within and outside of Maryland.    » read more »

Sep 21, 2007 -- LITTLE ROCK - When tickets to Hannah Montana’s December 1 concert at Alltel Arena went on sale recently, many Arkansans logged onto the Ticketmaster Web site and tried to purchase them. Other consumers appeared in person at Alltel Arena to buy directly from the box office. However, only a few minutes after the sale opened, consumers were informed that the concert had sold out. Other consumers were unable to log onto the Web site at all.    » read more »

U.S. citizen orchestrated scam from east Asia, filed fraudulent affidavits that kept Florida property off the open market

September 20, 2007 -- TALLAHASSEE, FL – A U.S. citizen residing in Thailand who orchestrated an elaborate real estate scam that “clouded” property titles is permanently prohibited from continuing his deceptive dealing with Florida property owners, Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced. After trial before Leon County Circuit Judge William L.    » read more »

OFIS warns consumers to be on the lookout for sellers of fraudulent securities

September 18, 2007 -- LANSING – Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Services (OFIS) Commissioner Linda A. Watters is warning consumers about an investment fraud that may be targeted at Michigan residents.    » read more »

September 19, 2007 -- TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that a Pasco man pleaded guilty to charges of security fraud and selling unregistered securities to several elderly victims, most of them Florida residents. R. John Zavodny owned and operated Mortgage Income Trust (MIT). The company sold approximately 170 promissory notes collectively worth nearly $9 million, but Zavodny and his associates misrepresented the true value of the notes to consumers.    » read more »

Scores Of Wronged Homeowners To Receive Clear Ownership Titles After Major Scam

September 18, 2007 -- SAN ANTONIO – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today concluded a lengthy enforcement action against central Texas manufactured home retailers who sold homes without clear titles. Owners of repossessed manufactured homes across central Texas will finally receive clear titles to homes they purchased in good faith from the unlicensed, fraudulent retailers.    » read more »

September 18, 2007 -- Clayton, Mo. — The owner of a St. Louis home repair business was arrested last Thursday (Sept. 13) and charged with defrauding area homeowners by not completing repairs or honoring warranties the consumers paid for. Kenneth J. Mers (DOB – 7/30/70), the owner of AMRP Construction, was indicted on three counts of unlawful merchandising practices by a St. Louis County grand jury at the request of Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon.    » read more »

September 14, 2007 -- Kentucky Attorney General Greg Stumbo today warned consumers to be cautious in purchasing business opportunities and training for money-making opportunities.

“I am committed to protecting the public from the operators of get-rich-quick scams,” said Attorney General Greg Stumbo. “Legitimate business opportunities requiring an investment over $500 are required to register with my office, provide a bond and disclosure documents. People need to remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”    » read more »

Court freezes assets of Foreclosure Assistance Solutions

September 14, 2007 -- HOUSTON – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today charged a business with operating an unlawful foreclosure rescue scam that targeted struggling Texas homeowners. As a result, the 408th District Court issued a temporary restraining order and froze assets belonging to three businessmen who organized the scheme. According to court documents, the defendants fraudulently advertised that they could save homeowners from imminent foreclosures.    » read more »

September 13, 2007 -- Jefferson City, Mo. — Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon is warning consumers about a new lottery scam using checks that appear to come from Aquila, the Kansas City-based utility company.    » read more »

Law enforcement, state agencies take aim at dramatic rise in foreclosures, mortgage scams

September 5, 2007 -- AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and key officials from state regulatory agencies today convened the Texas Residential Mortgage Fraud Task Force, a strategic partnership intended to improve collaboration among residential mortgage regulators and law enforcement officials. Task force members, including the attorney general and top real estate, banking and consumer credit regulators, will examine how to track and reduce mortgage fraud in Texas.    » read more »

September 4, 2007 -- Maine Attorney General Steve Rowe and Maine Agriculture Commissioner Seth Bradstreet III issued the following consumer warning:    » read more »

August 31, 2007 -- Having received additional questions from consumers, the Bureau of Insurance is once again advising to beware of illegal sweepstakes scams targeting people in this State and across the country. “We have reports from individuals who have recently received bogus sweepstakes letters and checks using the logo and name of insurance companies without the company’s knowledge or authorization,” stated acting Superintendent of Insurance Eric Cioppa.    » read more »

Aug. 30, 2007 -- Kansas Attorney General Paul Morrison warns Kansans to beware of phone calls about jury duty that ask for your personal information. These calls have been verified by the FBI as an identity theft scam and are spreading across the country.    » read more »