GREENBELT, MD—A Maryland man has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for his role in a $28 million Ponzi scheme involving “1st Million Dollars” wealth management company. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Arley Ray Johnson, 63, of Bowie, to 78 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy, wire […]
BALTIMORE, MD—Two biotech company presidents have been indicted in Maryland in connection with a securities fraud scheme. A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Nader Pourhassan, 59 of Lake Oswego, Oregon, and Kazem Kazempour, 69, of Potomac Maryland, for their roles in schemes to defraud investors in CytoDyn Inc., a publicly traded biotechnology company based in Vancouver, Washington. […]
PIKESVILLE, MD—The Maryland State Police Cyber Task Force is warning consumers to continue to proceed with caution while shopping online to avoid potential scams this holiday season. According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center’s (IC3) 2021 report, non-payment or non-delivery scams cost people more than $337 million annually. Credit card fraud accounted for another $173 million in losses. Consumers can […]
BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh on Monday announced the convictions of Eugene Fusting, 79, and Christopher Ian Fusting, 52, of Baltimore relating to their operation of a Ponzi-like investment scheme between 2012 and 2019. Eugene and Christopher Fusting were found guilty of Theft Scheme Over $100,000 and Conspiracy to Commit Theft Scheme Over $100,000 after pleading guilty in […]
BALTIMORE, MD—A federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment adding two new defendants to the nine defendants previously charged in relation to a Maryland and California unemployment insurance fraud scheme. The superseding indictment charges the defendants with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and stealing a post office key. The superseding indictment was returned on […]
BALTIMORE, MD—As assessment of the damage caused by Hurricane lan begins, the FBI Baltimore Division is warning the public about the potential for hurricane-related fraud. Authorities say hurricane or natural disaster damage often provides opportunities for criminals to scam storm victims and those who are assisting victims with recovery. Consumers should be aware of scammers posing as representatives of charities […]
GREENBELT, MD—A federal jury in Maryland has convicted Arley Ray Johnson, 63, of Bowie, on charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, and securities fraud, in connection with a $28 million Ponzi scheme involving 1st Million, a purported wealth management and financial literacy company. Johnson was convicted after a 10-day trial. The conviction was announced by United States Attorney for the District […]
BALTIMORE, MD—A Baltimore County business owner has been sentenced to federal prison for fraudulently obtaining federally insured loans to sell two Baltimore properties he owned. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Philip Abramowitz, 50, of Pikesville, to one year in federal prison and one year of home detention, followed by three years of supervised release, for a wire fraud […]