BALTIMORE, MD – Joseph R. Dominici, 31, of Annapolis, Maryland, is headed to federal prison for four years after being convicted of running a sophisticated fraud scheme that bilked real estate professionals out of nearly $900,000. Dominici was sentenced on January 30, 2018, by U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar, who also tacked on three years of supervised release following Dominici’s incarceration.
The scheme centered around Dominici’s company, JJ&M Enterprises, LLC, and two websites – BuyerHomeSite.com and FreeHomeFind.com – which promised to connect real estate agents with eager homebuyers. Dominici, however, was selling smoke and mirrors. He charged over 1,000 real estate professionals approximately $299 per month for “exclusive” leads, leads that were entirely fabricated. The supposed prospective buyers were entirely fictitious, complete with fake names, email addresses, and even cell phone numbers, all conjured up by Dominici and his employees.
The operation was brazen. Dominici equipped his employees with cell phones, each labeled with the name and number of a made-up potential buyer. He also plastered his websites with bogus testimonials, further deceiving those who fell for the scam. From March 2014 to October 2015, JJ&M employees relentlessly cold-called real estate professionals across the country, pushing the false promise of qualified leads. The total take from the telemarketing fraud exceeded $895,568.31, according to court documents.
But the real estate scheme wasn’t Dominici’s only hustle. He also faced charges of aggravated identity theft stemming from a separate operation involving stolen credit card information. Dominici and his crew created fraudulent “cloned” credit cards, using the stolen data to further line their pockets. This criminal versatility earned him the aggravated identity theft charge, adding to his substantial sentence.
Dominici wasn’t the only one facing consequences. Christina O. Price, 23, of Bowie, Maryland, received one year in prison and one year of supervised release for her involvement in the credit card fraud. Carlos Ledbetter, 31, formerly of Annapolis, previously received six months in prison and four years of supervised release for his role in the same scheme. These sentences send a clear message that those who facilitate or participate in these types of crimes will be held accountable.
The case was a collaborative effort, announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning, alongside Christopher Caruso, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service – Baltimore Field Office; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Timothy J. Altomare; and Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Wes Adams. The Secret Service, typically known for protecting dignitaries, has a significant and often overlooked role in investigating financial crimes like these, proving their versatility in fighting all forms of criminal activity.
Related Federal Cases
- Michael Crew, Counterfeiter Credit Card Ring, Baltimore MD, 2023 · Maryland
- Eijroghene Okuma, $10M Investment Fraud, Atlanta GA, 2023 · Georgia
- Unidentified Banker Charged with $5M Fraud Scheme, USA, 2023 · Georgia
- McKenzie Marie Earley, $10M Wire Fraud, C.D. California, 2023 · Pennsylvania
- William Frazier Sentenced to 51 Months for Wire Fraud, Midland GA, … · Georgia
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News