Willoughby Farr, Unauthorized Charges Scam, Florida 2010

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – Willoughby Farr, 46, was sentenced to 262 months in prison and three years of supervised release for perpetrating a ‘scam of unauthorized charges’ that billed consumers for reverse call charges on their phone bills, announced the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Miami Office.

According to the indictment, between April 2003 and December 2005, Farr used three companies in West Palm Beach – Nationwide Connections Inc., Access One Communications Inc., and Connect One Communications Inc. – to defraud consumers. Through these companies, Farr caused phone companies to bill consumers approximately $35 million for false charges.

Farr pleaded guilty in May 2010 to two counts of mail fraud related to the scam. By pleading guilty, Farr admitted to committing the crimes while incarcerated in the Palm Beach County Jail. He concealed his ownership of the three companies. He also concealed his ownership because other companies had cut him off from billing clients and state regulators had sued him for illegal billing.

“When unscrupulous and dishonest people line their pockets with money made from clients’ hard work, we will hold them accountable,” said Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division.

“As this sentence demonstrates, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has made it a priority to protect the public from fraudulent schemes. This case also serves as a reminder for consumers to carefully review their phone bills for unauthorized charges,”

In February 2006, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a complaint against various companies and individuals, including Farr. The complaint led to a civil judgment of $34,547,140 against Farr.

The sentence was the result of a collaborative effort between the Civil Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the FTC.

Farr was ordered to pay a restitution of $34,547,140.

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