Fergie's Tech Blog

11 Indicted In International Illegal Spamming And Stock Fraud Scheme

Via USDoJ.gov.

A federal grand jury indictment was unsealed today in Detroit charging 11 persons, including Alan M. Ralsky, his son-in-law Scott K. Bradley, and Judy M. Devenow, of Michigan, and eight others, including a dual national of Canada and Hong Kong and individuals from Russia, California, and Arizona, in a wide-ranging international fraud scheme involving the illegal use of bulk commercial e-mailing, or "spamming."

Charged in the 41-count indictment are:

• Alan M. Ralsky, 52, of West Bloomfield, Michigan
• Scott K. Bradley, 46, of West Bloomfield, Michigan
• Judy M. Devenow, 55, of Lansing, Michigan
• John S. Bown, 47, of Poway, California
• William C. Neil, 45, of Fresno, California
• Anki K. Neil, 36, of Fresno, California
• James E. Bragg, 39, of Queen Creek, Arizona
• James E. Fite, 34, of Whittier, California
• Peter Severa, age unknown, of Russia
• How Wai John Hui, 49, of Vancouver, Canada and Hong Kong
• Francis A. Tribble, of Los Angeles, California

Appearing in court for arraignment today were defendants Scott Bradley and Judy Devenow, who were arrested today. Defendant How Wai John Hui was arrested in the Eastern District of New York on Jan. 2, 2008. The remaining defendants are being sought.

Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division said, "The flood of illegal spam continues to wreak havoc on the online marketplace and has become a global criminal enterprise. It clogs consumers' email boxes with scams and unwanted messages and imposes significant costs on our society. This indictment reflects the commitment of the Department of Justice to prosecuting these spamming organizations wherever they may operate. I would like to thank the many prosecutors and agents for their extraordinary efforts leading up to the indictment."

posted by Fergie @ 1/03/2008 04:29:00 PM