Leader convicted for $4M international telemarketing scheme

A federal jury in North Carolina convicted a man today for his role in orchestrating a years-long telemarketing scheme that defrauded victims in the United States from a call center in Costa Rica.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Roger Roger, 40, of Costa Rica, led a fraudulent telemarketing scheme in which co-conspirators, who falsely posed as US government officials, contacted victims in the United States to tell them that they had won a substantial “sweepstakes” prize. After convincing victims, many of whom were elderly, that they stood to receive a significant financial prize, the co-conspirators told victims that they needed to make a series of up-front payments before collecting their supposed prize, purportedly for items such as taxes , customs duties, and other fees. Co-conspirators used various means to conceal their true identities, including Voice over Internet Protocol technology, which made it appear as though they were calling from Washington, DC, and other locations in the United States. Roger personally called victims from Costa Rica using fake names and documents to trick the victims into believing they had won a sweepstakes prize. He also recruited and directed co-conspirators to mislead victims on the phone and transmit victims’ payments from the United States to Costa Rica. The evidence at trial showed that Roger and his co-conspirators stole over $4 million from victims.

Roger was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, four counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and two counts of international money laundering. The defendant faces a maximum penalty involved of 25 years in prison on each count related to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and wire fraud because these counts telemarketing that victimized at least 10 people over the age of 55. Additionally, he faces 20 years in prison on each count related to conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering. Sentencing will occur at a later date. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri; US Attorney Dena J. King for the Western District of North Carolina; Inspector in Charge Tommy Coke of the US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Atlanta Division; Special Agent in Charge Karen Wingerd of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Cincinnati Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Robert DeWitt of FBI Charlotte Field Office made the announcement.

The USPIS Atlanta Division, IRS-CI Cincinnati Field Office, and FBI Charlotte Field Office investigated the case with assistance from La Grande Police Department and Union County District Attorney Victim Assistance Office. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Costa Rica for Roger’s arrest and extradition.

Trial Attorneys Andrew Jaco and Amanda Fretto Lingwood are prosecuting the case.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This US Department of Justice hotline provides personalized support by assessing needs and identifying relevant next steps including connecting callers directly with appropriate agencies.