Beatrix Boka, Aleksandar Kunkin, International Online Marketplace Fraud, Tennessee 2012

Two Hungarian nationals, Beatrix Boka and Aleksandar Kunkin, have been sentenced to prison for their roles in an international online marketplace fraud scheme. The duo, aged 34 and 40 respectively, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud.

According to testimony at Boka and Kunkin's plea hearings, members of the conspiracy fraudulently listed vehicles for sale at online marketplaces such as eBay. When victims expressed interest in purchasing the vehicles, co-conspirators sent emails that directed the victims to wire payments to certain bank accounts, and victims never received the vehicles for which they paid.

From May to June 2012, Boka and Kunkin visited Bank of America branches in North Carolina and South Carolina and opened bank accounts under false identities, which were supported by fraudulent identity documents including counterfeit Hungarian passports. In total, 36 victims sent approximately $550,102 to accounts opened by Boka and Kunkin. Boka and Kunkin subsequently sent the bulk of the money to co-conspirators located abroad.

Boka, 34, was sentenced to serve 36 months in prison, while Kunkin, 40, was sentenced to serve 46 months in prison. Both defendants were also sentenced to serve two years of supervised release and ordered to pay $464,581 in restitution.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Byron M. Jones of the Middle District of Tennessee and Trial Attorney Mysti Degani of the Criminal Division's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section. The case is being investigated by the FBI, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, and the Cobb County, Ga., Sheriff's Department.

Beatrix Boka and Aleksandar Kunkin, both Hungarian nationals, were sentenced to prison for their roles in an international online marketplace fraud scheme. The duo was found guilty of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud and was ordered to pay restitution.

The case highlights the increasing threat of online marketplace fraud and the importance of vigilance when conducting online transactions. The Grimy Times will continue to monitor the case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdtn/pr/two-hungarian-nationals-sentenced-tennessee-roles-international-fraud-scheme-involving