MIDDLE EAST: Newly released video shows lottery fraud suspects in action, they're accused of extorting money from American elders

Record ID: 572547

  • Title: MIDDLE EAST: Newly released video shows lottery fraud suspects in action, they're accused of extorting money from American elders
  • Date: 28th July 2009
  • Summary: JERUSALEM (JULY 23, 2009) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF LAWYERS IN COURT
  • Embargoed: 12th August 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVAACKRPJTRJ1J8GQHMHE4MLJP4N
  • Story Text: A video filmed by Israeli police and obtained by Israeli Channel 2 News was released on Sunday (June 26), showing suspects running a telemarketing fraud that conned elderly victims out of more than $25 million in the United States, in action.
    The video, filmed by a hidden camera in the company's office in Tel Aviv, shows a woman speaking to alleged fraud victims on the phone, and telling them they won the lottery.
    "I have you listed here in the computer as having won 500,000 dollars. Well, I mean, you do have to pay taxes, that makes sense," the unidentified suspect told one of the victims in the video.
    On Thursday (July 23), Israeli prosecutors sought court approval to extradite 11 people involved in the case to the United States.
    According to criminal indictments unsealed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan on Tuesday (July 21), 12 defendants are accused of calling victims in the United States and falsely declaring that they had won an international lottery.
    Victims were told they needed to pay thousands of dollars in fees and taxes before claiming their prizes, authorities said. There was no lottery and the apparent victims never received any cash prizes, even after sending money to the defendants in Israel, U.S. officials said.
    "Oh my Gosh! I have you listed here as having won 500,000 dollars (laughing). Apparently you are right, boy, I am stunned. Like I told you I have been working here for six or seven months now and gosh, you are the first person I have ever talked to that is a winner. Wow I am shocked, I am shocked," the unidentified suspect, wearing dark sunglasses, says in the film.
    The woman is later heard referring the alleged victim to a law firm in the US, and it is implied in the video that the so-called law firm representative is actually one of her colleagues whom she speaks to in the office in Tel Aviv.
    "OK, it says here it was contracted out to a law firm Bernstein Schwartz and Associates, out of Sheldon Sheldon Bernstein. Yeh, that's what I have listed there..lets see what it says I'm looking at their website now, the foremost experts of tax litigation in the tri-state area. So, I don't think they are going anywhere, that's for sure. If it's in my computer it's 100% for sure," the woman says on the video.
    After the phone conversation ends, the woman and her colleague, who can hardly be seen in the corner of the frame, joke about the call.
    "He sounds really good...He says like 'Sheldon Sheldon Bernstein' cause you introduce yourself 'my name is Sheldon'?" the woman tells her colleague, and he answers laughing "My name is Sheldon Sheldon Bernstein, I know..."
    The 11 defendants appeared in a Jerusalem court on Thursday (July 23) where prosecutors demanded they remain in custody until they are extradited to the United States, the Justice Ministry said.
    It did not say why only 11 people, and not 12 as stated in the U.S. indictment, had been arrested.
    The indictment filed charged the 12 with conspiracy to commit fraud through an Israel-based telemarketing firm. Several also were charged with mail fraud and wire fraud.
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