Telemarketing scams and advanced fee schemes are particularly pernicious in their impact on crime victims. As a former federal prosecutor, I prosecuted a number of both types of these scams. You can find reports of such crimes all over the place!
For example, according to various news reports, last week, a Marietta, Georgia woman, Kara Singleton Adams, was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison following her conviction in federal court for operating a telemarketing scam which falsely promised customers to reduce their interest rates and credit debt. Naturally, according to the news reports, she never delivered on the promises, but still collected millions of dollars in fees from hapless victims.
One thing I learned about such scams is that they frequently target people, including the elderly and those in debt, who can least afford the losses which they ultimately suffer.
But now, at least for this defendant, unless she prevails on appeal, she must serve much of the next 17 years in prison. And don't forget, in federal court, there is no parole! What you see is generally what you get!
Have you, or anyone you know, ever been the victim of a fraudulent scam?
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