S.P. , Retired Postal Inspector
T.M, Retired USPIS Postal Inspector TL
E.L, Retired IRS SAC
White Collar Fraud - Advence Fee Scheme: This case demonstrates my investigative skills to include numerous document reviews, financial analysis, interviews, and electronic surveillance. The investigation began because the subject offered financing to individuals and businesses desperate because they could not secure conventional loans; what we refer to as an Advance Fee Scheme. Over a period of six years, he received fees via the mail and continued luring victims with numerous phone calls and emails promising the financing was close to being available. The subject admitted to the scheme, agreed to co-operate and was indicted on two counts of mail fraud and eight counts of wire fraud. To my surprise, the subject disappeared and no one close to him would give up his whereabouts. After some investigative luck, I found his car on Google Maps, which was parked at his former assistant’s home located just outside Charleston, SC! So, of course I travelled to Charleston, SC to execute an arrest warrant with the assistance of agents in that area. We learned the subject was golfing and the pro at the club helped by providing his approximate location and a golf cart. So off we went to hole 14, where the subject was located and was rather surprised when he saw me pull up in the golf cart. That was the first and last time of my career I uttered the words “drop your golf club.” The subject surrendered without incident and in fact, he was still wearing his cleats when booked by U.S. Marshals. If there is a takeaway for defendants, if you state you are going to cooperate, follow-through. This could have been resolved with a phone call to him or counsel where he self-surrendered. With that said, the recidivist mail fraud defendant, yes, he was previously convicted in federal court on bank fraud, was sentenced to 30 months and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $322,500. Although the federal investigation was successful, victims still suffered as some lost their businesses.