Russian guy was accused of internet-fraud in USA

23rd August 2007

In the United States a charge was brought against Russian swindler and four his associates, disguised themselves as wealthy American businessmen.
According to the Associated Press, a 24-year-old Igor Klopov, a resident of Moscow, was seeking via internet personal information about individuals belonging to the list of 400 richest citizens of the United States by version of Forbes. The found data he then used for financial fraud. Klopov along with his buddies forged documents and cracked bank accounts.
One of the victims of the scam was a 73-year-old billionaire Charles Whiley, who together with his brother Sam runs the major network of antique shops. This network was recently sold for six billion dollars. In the end of the last year, Klopov contacted the bank, servicing Charles Whiley, and on behalf of the businessman asked to send a cheque book to a new address in Texas, where one of the swindlers lived. Using the book, fraudsters then tried to buy jewelry totally valued at 7 million dollars. But jewellery sellers contacted the bank to verify the check. Their actions led to the discovery of the swindlersâ€™ scheme.
This spring Klopov, unaware that he was already expected by the United States police, flew to USA for his purchase. Undercover agents met the guy in the Dominican Republic and by the private plane took him to New York, where he was arrested. Subsequently, police also arrested his four accomplices located in Texas, Florida, Kentucky and Michigan.
Currently fraudsters are charged with misappropriation of one and half a million dollars and endeavor of stealage of 10.7 million. If their blame will be proven, each can be sentenced about 25 years of jail. By the way, Klopov, according to his lawyer, agreed to cooperate with American investigators.