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Funso Hassan, Internet Fraud, Mississippi 2016
Gulfport, Miss – Two individuals entered guilty pleas on Monday, April 11, 2016, in a case involving counterfeit checks distributed through fraudulent ‘Mystery Shopper’ internet sites.
Funso Hassan, 27, of Ibadan, Nigeria, faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit identity theft and theft of government property, along with use of mail and interstate facility to distribute proceeds of a racketeering activity. Hassan also faces deportation as a convicted felon.
Hassan’s plea is part of a larger investigation into a ring of scammers who used fake online advertisements to lure victims into sending them checks and account information. The scammers would then use this information to steal the victims’ identities and drain their bank accounts.
Anthony Shane Jeffers, 44, of Maryville, Tennessee, also entered a guilty plea on the same day. Jeffers faces the same charges as Hassan and also faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced on July 22, 2016.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Annette Williams and Trial Attorneys Conor Mulroe and Peter Roman.
Hassan will be sentenced on July 11, 2016. This case is a reminder of the dangers of online scams and the importance of being cautious when sending money or personal information online.
As this case shows, the consequences of these crimes can be severe and long-lasting. We urge anyone who has been a victim of online scams to come forward and report it to the authorities.
Key Facts
- State: Mississippi
- Category: Cybercrime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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