Related Federal Cases
- Sark Wire Corporation, PPP Fraud, Albany NY, 2023 · Virginia
- Christopher Furman, Wire Fraud and Money Laundering, Pittsburgh PA,… · Pennsylvania
- Christopher Furman, Wire Fraud and Money Laundering, Pittsburgh PA,… · Pennsylvania
- Emily Wilson, Investment Adviser Fraud, Pennsylvania, 2023 · Virginia
- McKenzie Marie Earley, $10M Wire Fraud, C.D. California, 2023 · Pennsylvania
Defendant Ripped Off Acquaintance for $700K
ERIE, Pa – A brazen Erie man, Peter Jerard Turk, 61, has pleaded guilty to a $700,000 wire fraud scheme that left his acquaintance financially ruined. Turk’s scheme involved convincing the victim to send him the money under false pretenses.
Turk claimed that the money would be used to pay the Nigerian government certain fees related to a five million dollar Nigerian government contract that he had been awarded. However, the contract never existed.
According to court documents, Turk kept over $100,000 for himself and forwarded the balance of the victim’s money to bank accounts and individuals across the world. This is a clear case of masterminding a sophisticated financial scam that targeted an unsuspecting victim.
Turk’s scheme was uncovered by the United States Secret Service, which conducted a thorough investigation that led to his prosecution. Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
Senior United States District Judge Maurice B. Cohill, Jr. accepted Turk’s guilty plea and scheduled sentencing for August 4, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of twenty years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.
Turk is currently out on bond pending sentencing. This case serves as a reminder of the devastating effects of white-collar crimes, which can have a lasting impact on the victims and their families.
The case highlights the importance of vigilance and due diligence in financial transactions, as well as the need for law enforcement agencies to crack down on such crimes.
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News