Alcides Roman, Wire Fraud, Louisiana 2012

Florida Man Sentenced to 41 Months in Prison for $340K Wire Fraud Scheme

SHREVEPORT, La. - In a brazen attempt to swindle $340,000 from unsuspecting individuals, Alcides Roman, 53, of Ocoee, Florida, has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison and 3 years supervised release. Roman, doing business as Amstar Investment Properties, was ordered to pay $340,000 to his victims.

According to the investigation, Roman procured wire transfers of money from two different advanced fee contracts in November 2007. In the first instance, an individual looking for financing on several properties in Alabama and Florida sent a wire transfer of $200,000. Roman represented that he could secure financing in the amount of $26 million for an advance fee of $200,000. However, the individual never received the financing or a refund on the fee as promised.

The investigation revealed a second set of victims in Texas who also sent money in November 2007. Roman's scheme left a trail of financial devastation, with individuals losing their hard-earned savings to his deceitful tactics.

Roman pleaded guilty to wire fraud in September 2012. He is to report to the Bureau of Prisons on February 25, 2013. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Tom Stagg.

The case was investigated by the FBI-Shreveport Resident Agency, and was prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Joseph G. Jarzabek. Roman's sentence serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of engaging in such illicit activities.

As the court's decision makes clear, those who engage in wire fraud will be held accountable for their actions. The prosecution's efforts in this case demonstrate the commitment to protecting the public from financial predators like Roman.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdla/pr/financing-scheme-gets-florida-man-41-months-federal-prison