Fraud

Fraud
July 29, 2023

Guilty! ELITE CON WOMAN TRICKS $2.8 Million from Aging Holocaust Survivor

A federal judge described a Florida woman as “unspeakably cruel” before sentencing her to prison for stealing an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor’s savings, while pretending to have a romantic interest in him. AP reports that U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos sentenced 36-year-old Peaches Stergo to over four years in prison Thursday, during a sentencing hearing at …

Carlee Russell
Fraud
July 26, 2023

Charges to be Filed Against Alabama Hoax Starter, Carlee Russell, Attorney Says

Alabama attorney Emory Anthony, who represents Carlee Russell, said Wednesday that he anticipates police pressing charges against Russell after she faked her own kidnapping. According to WHDN, the announcement followed a Tuesday meeting between Anthony and Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis. “It was a great meeting; It was a short meeting,” Anthony said. “We tried …

Fraud
July 21, 2023

26-Year-Old Who Posed as Student at 2 High Schools Charged With Sex Trafficking

A Nebraska man who allegedly posed as a student at two high schools was charged on Thursday with sexual assault and sex trafficking involving minor victims. Zachary Scheich, 26, reportedly used the pseudonym “Zak Hess” while enrolled at Lincoln Northwest High School before transferring to Lincoln Southeast High School. Scheich corresponded with the female victims …

Fraud
June 28, 2023

Liquor Store Clerk Tried to Redeem Customer’s Winning $3 Million Lottery Ticket

Massachusetts police arrested a store clerk Tuesday for allegedly stealing a winning $3 million Mega Millions lottery ticket from a customer who left it behind. WBZ-TV reported that a customer purchased a quick-pick ticket from Lakeville Liquors & Market and added a multiplier to increase his winnings. Surveillance footage from January appears to show the …

Fraud
May 31, 2023

Alex Murdaugh Pleads Not Guilty to Various Federal Financial Crimes

On Wednesday, convicted double murderer Alex Murdaugh appeared in a South Carolina court and pleaded not guilty to a host of federal charges related to financial crimes he admitted to during his murder trial. Murdaugh was indicted last week for schemes to steal millions of dollars from clients, friends, and his family’s more than 100-year-old …

Fraud
May 24, 2023

Alex Murdaugh Indicted on 22 Federal Counts of Financial Fraud

Ex-South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh was indicted on Tuesday for 22 federal counts of financial fraud which stemmed from him conspiring with a banker to steal money from his former law firm and a slew of clients. The Greenville News reported that a jury in the U.S. District Court in Charleston handed down various charges …

Fraud
May 2, 2023

Alex Murdaugh Admits Lying to Insurance Company in Housekeeper’s Death

Convicted double murderer Alex Murdaugh admits he lied about his housekeeper’s 2018 death but says he didn’t conspire with anyone else to pocket millions in a settlement with Gloria Satterfield’s family. Satterfield died after a fall at Murdaugh’s home and worked with the family to reach a settlement with Nautilus Insurance Company. Nautilus filed suit …

Fraud
April 17, 2023

Florida Woman Steals Nearly $3 million From 87-Year-old Holocaust Survivor

A Florida woman has pleaded guilty in New York federal court for a years-long scheme to take the life savings of an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor. “Peaches Stergo stole the life savings from an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor who was just looking for companionship,” said Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. …

Fraud
April 14, 2023

Couple Accused of Fraud for Befriending Doctor, Drugging Him to Steal Millions

A conniving couple — one a yoga instructor and the other a hairdresser — befriended a gullible, lonely Malibu doctor and drugged him for a year so they could steal millions from him, federal authorities say. Anna Moore, 39, and Anthony Flores, 46, were indicted in February on 12 federal charges, including conspiracy, identity theft, …