Silvio Carrano, Business Opportunity Fraud, Florida 2004

Two U.S. citizens have been arrested in Costa Rica for their alleged roles in a business opportunity fraud scheme.

Silvio Carrano, 45, and Patrick Williams, 42, were arrested by Costa Rican authorities on March 9, 2004, following their indictment by a federal grand jury in Miami on the same day.

According to the indictment, Carrano and Williams, along with their co-conspirators, operated a series of fraudulent business opportunities, including vending machine, beverage, and greeting card businesses, which they marketed to potential investors in the United States.

The indictment alleges that the defendants fraudulently induced purchasers to invest thousands of dollars in these businesses, which were purportedly located in the United States. However, in reality, the defendants operated out of Costa Rica to commit the fraud.

The indictment charges Silvio Carrano and Patrick Williams with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail and wire fraud, and money laundering.

The defendants allegedly used bank accounts, office space, and other services in the Southern District of Florida and elsewhere to operate their fraudulent schemes.

The charges are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to crack down on business opportunity fraud nationwide.

Two other defendants, Donald Williams, 40, and Gregory Britt Fleming, 38, were also charged in the indictment. Donald Williams was arrested on May 7, 2004, in Houston, while Fleming remains a fugitive.

The indictment alleges that the defendants made numerous false statements to potential investors, including claims that they would likely earn substantial profits and that prior investors had achieved significant success.

The indictment also alleges that the defendants used various types of sales representatives, including fronters, closers, and references, to sell their fraudulent business opportunities.

Carrano was a fronter and reference for several of the businesses, including USA Beverages, Twin Peaks Gourmet Coffee, and Cards-R-U.

Related Federal Cases