No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsBusinessOhio man convicted in Costa Rica telemarketing scam

Ohio man convicted in Costa Rica telemarketing scam

Another U.S. man has been convicted in a sprawling Costa Rica-based telemarketing scam, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice Wednesday.

Paul Ronald Toth Jr., 40, of Wintersville, Ohio, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and six counts of international money laundering concealment for his role in a sweepstakes scam that targeted elderly U.S. residents. The scam was operated out of Costa Rican call centers.

A sentencing date has yet to be set before U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad Jr. of the Western District of North Carolina.

According to the indictment dated Oct. 22, 2014, Toth knowingly collected more than $300,000 in ill-gotten gains from victims and sent roughly $200,000 through Western Union wire transfers to Costa Rica between November 2009 and November 2010.The remainder was Toth’s profit. The indictment said that Toth worked with Christopher Lee Griffin, a defendant in a related telemarketing scam case.

The Tico Times previously reported that a hydra of similar call-center scams operated in Costa Rica between 2002 and 2013 claiming to represent the bogus company “Lloyds of London of Costa Rica.” The scam, which defrauded victims of roughly $20 million, was largely carried out by U.S., Canadian and other English-speaking expats living in Costa Rica.

The Griffin indictment did not mention Lloyds of London of Costa Rica but described a similar operation: a telemarketing scam where large cash prizes were offered to U.S. residents over 55 years old and could only be claimed after paying fake insurance fees. Callers also allegedly impersonated officials from the “Federal Trade Commission” as part of the swindle. Prosecutors in that case asked for more than $10 million in forfeiture to cover the damage from the scam that lasted from 2007 to 2014.

As of June, Prosecutors in the Western District of North Carolina had convicted 46 defendants from the United States related to the sweepstakes fraud.

Trending Now

Costa Rica to Launch Electric Air Taxis for Sustainable Travel in Guanacaste

Costa Rica is poised to revolutionize its transportation landscape with the introduction of electric air taxis, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional ground travel...

Honduras Seizes $2 Million, Gold-Plated Pistols in Drug Raid

Honduran authorities struck a blow against drug cartels, seizing over $2 million in cash, war rifles, and flashy gold-plated pistols in Copán, a northwest...

Chiquita Brands Leaves Panama Amid Protests, Talks Underway to Resume

Laid-off workers from the U.S.-based banana company Chiquita Brands said on Monday that they are hoping for the company’s return to Panama, after it...

Prisma Dental in Costa Rica Keeps Customers Happy and Smiling

I am 81 years old and have had teeth removed, bridges, and cavities fixed several times to sustain my ability to eat and function....

Costa Rica Extradites David Ochy to Panama for Alleged Money Laundering

Costa Rican authorities have extradited David Ochy, a former Panamanian presidential candidate, to Panama, where he faces charges of money laundering tied to the...

2025 Gold Cup: Honduras Advances After Dramatic Shootout, Mexico Ends Goal Drought

Honduras, with a surprising and dramatic penalty shootout victory over Panama, and Mexico, with a lackluster win against Saudi Arabia, advanced Saturday to the...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica