Maryland fraudster sentenced to more than 9 years in prison for his role in $28 million ‘1st Million Dollars’ Ponzi scheme

GREENBELT, MD—A Maryland man has been sentenced to prison for his role in a massive Ponzi scheme. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang has sentenced John Erasmus Frimpong, 42, of Upper Marlboro, to 114 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and securities fraud, in […]

Maryland businesses again receiving fake 2023 Certificate of Good Standing Request Form

BALTIMORE, MD—The Office of the Attorney General is once again warning that businesses in Maryland have been receiving a letter entitled “2023 Certificate of Good Standing Request Form.” The letter requests a fee in exchange for a letter of good standing with an “official seal of the Secretary of State.” This letter is a scam and is the same fraudulent […]

U.S. Marshals, FBI warn public of imposter scam involving cryptocurrency payment demands

WASHINGTON, DC—The U.S. Marshals Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are alerting the public of several nationwide imposter scams involving individuals claiming to be U.S. marshals, court officers, or other law enforcement officials. They are urging people to report the calls their local FBI office and file a consumer complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, which has the ability […]

U.S. Marshals Service searching for Roy McGrath, former Governor Hogan’s top aide

UPDATE 2: Roy McGrath has died following a confrontation with the FBI in Tennessee. UPDATE: A reward of $10,000 is now being offered for information that leads to McGrath’s arrest. Original story below… WASHINGTON, DC—The U.S. Marshals Service has initiated an interstate fugitive investigation. Authorities are now seeking to apprehend former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s former Chief of Staff Roy […]

Maryland tax preparer convicted after 8-day trial for preparing false tax returns

GREENBELT, MD—A Maryland man has been convicted for preparing false tax returns. A federal jury this week convicted Ronald Eugene Watson, also known as Sabir Muhammad, 59, of Brandywine, on 23 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns. The guilty verdict was announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland; […]

Former bank employee convicted after fraudulently opening bank accounts in Maryland

UPDATE: Daniel Velcru has been sentenced to prison. Original story below… GREENBELT, MD—A Maryland man has been convicted on fraud charges after fraudulent opening bank accounts. A federal jury has convicted Diape Seck, 29, of Rockville, for his role in a bank fraud scheme in which he and his co-conspirators obtained or attempted to obtain almost $2 million by fraud, […]

Baltimore man, previously convicted for bank fraud, facing federal charges for filing fraudulent applications for COVID-19 CARES Act loans and unemployment benefits

BALTIMORE, MD—A Baltimore man who was previously convicted on bank fraud and aggravated identity theft charges is now facing federal charges for filing fraudulent applications for COVID-19 CARES Act loans and unemployment benefits. A federal criminal complaint has been filed charging Ryan Dales, 34, with wire fraud, relating to the submission of fraudulent applications for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, a […]

Baltimore County Police Department warning residents of police impersonation phone scam

TOWSON, MD—The Baltimore County Police Department is warning residents of a telephone scam that is being reported in the area. Authorities say they are receiving reports of residents being contacted by scammers claiming to be Baltimore County police officers. The scammers then say they are collecting on a legal judgment. They provide a local phone number for an actual police […]