Global cyber fraud ring smashed
US: US officials said Wednesday they had taken down a global
cyberfraud ring and charged six Romanians and one Albanian in a scheme
selling non-existent goods on the Web.
The Justice Department said the scheme, which netted an estimated $3
million, used ads on Internet marketplace websites including eBay,
Cars.com and others for automobiles, motorcycles, boats and other
high-value items, priced in the $10,000 to $45,000 range.
The fraud enabled the defendants to collect money after sending fake
certificates of title and other information to buyers.
Arrests were made at the request of the United States in Britain,
Canada, the Czech Republic and Romania, the Justice Department said.
Extradition requests are pending.
A criminal complaint unsealed in New York charged Romanian nationals
Emil Butoi, 34; Aurel Cojorcaru, 43; Nicolae Ghebosila, 43; Cristea
Mircea, 30; Ion Pieptea, 36; and Nicolae Simion, 37; along with Albanian
national Fabian Meme, 42, each with one count of wire fraud conspiracy
and other charges.
Officials said some of the defendants were also charged with passport
fraud.
AFP |
