Richard Pope faces jail in US over 'boiler room' scam

Though it isn't specifically an area we handle, we have had victims of this type of scam visit the forum, but it's always nice to hear about a scammer getting what he deserves.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12708147

Briton Richard Pope faces up to 20 years in a US jail after admitting his role in a multi-million pound scam.

He and his gang fleeced unsuspecting UK pensioners by stealing the identities of dormant US companies and selling non-existent shares, a court heard.

Pope, 53, funded a lifestyle of fast cars and expensive yachts at the expense of his victims, some of whom were left destitute, police said.

Presumably he was prosecuted in the USA because there were either US victims or it was his abuse of dormant US companies. If he'd been prosecuted in the UK, the sentence he'd be facing would be nothing like as large - so nice one USA.

Det Supt Bob Wishart, from the City of London Police's Economic Crime Directorate, led the investigation in partnership with US authorities.

"He and the guys who did this are on a par with some of the most ruthless villains out there," he told the Press Association.

Most of the victims were retired pensioners from the UK who trusted Pope with their life savings, Det Supt Wishart said.

"They did not deserve what they have got, they thought they were going to be able to look after their families for years to come with this."

One victim alone lost more than £800,000 ($1.29m), detectives said.

Six others were charged by US authorities alongside Pope in March 2009 and are awaiting trial. Two more Britons are among them.

On the news it said that one victim went as far as committing suicide over their losses.

The background to this story is lengthy bizarre and fascinating, and I came across this news item that amused me. I've obscured the real name as anyone interested can easily find specific details for themselves

After allegedly conning British pensioners out of $70 million (£35 million), XXXXXXX XXXXX, 25, had no reason to suspect that her world was about to come crashing down.

“CutiePie is going to have a nice day,” she enthused on her web page on Thursday. Alongside was a note: “Mood: happy.”

Hours later Ms XXXXX’s sunny outlook probably changed when she was visited by special agents from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who arrested her after a joint investigation with the US Secret Service, US Attorney’s Office and City of London Police

........Each now faces a prison sentence of up to 95 years and fines of up to $140 million.

Forgive me if I appear to be enjoying the suffering of scammers - but I just do (and if they're Brits like me, it just makes it even better)

Re the father of the above.

The British national was to have been sworn in as an American citizen the day he was arrested.

Now that's what I call unlucky. Looks like he'll get to enjoy US justice anyway.