Operation Stop Scam Calls

Federal Trade Commission | ftc.gov/calls

FEDERAL AND STATE ACTIONS | JULY 18, 2023
PARTICIPATING AGENCIES

* Additional non-public actions were taken by

Operation Stop Scam Calls participants PAGE 1 OF 2

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

District of New Jersey

Alabama Attorney General’s Office

Alaska Attorney General’s Office

Arizona Attorney General’s Office

Arkansas Attorney General’s Office

California Attorney General’s Office

Colorado Attorney General’s Office 

Connecticut Attorney General’s Office

Delaware Attorney General’s Office

District of Columbia Attorney General’s Office

Federal Communications Commission

Federal Trade Commission

Florida Attorney General’s Office

Georgia Attorney General’s Office

Hawaii Attorney General’s Office

Idaho Attorney General’s Office 

Illinois Attorney General’s Office

Indiana Attorney General’s Office

Iowa Attorney General’s Office

Kansas Attorney General’s Office

Kentucky Attorney General’s Office

Louisiana Attorney General’s Office

Maine Attorney General’s Office

Maine Public Utilities Commission

Maryland Attorney General’s Office

Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office

Michigan Attorney General’s Office

Minnesota Attorney General’s Office

Mississippi Attorney General’s Office

Missouri Attorney General’s Office

Montana Attorney General’s Office

Nebraska Attorney General’s Office

Nevada Attorney General’s Office

New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office

New Jersey Attorney General’s Office

New Mexico Attorney General’s Office

New York Attorney General’s Office

North Carolina Attorney General’s Office

North Dakota Attorney General’s Office

Ohio Attorney General’s Office

Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office

Oregon Attorney General’s Office

Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office 

Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office

Social Security Administration,

Office of the Inspector General

South Carolina Attorney General’s Office

South Dakota Attorney General’s Office

Tennessee Attorney General’s Office

Texas Attorney General’s Office

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Central District of California

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

District of Arizona

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

District of Colorado

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

District of Columbia

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

District of Connecticut

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

District of Delaware

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

District of Maryland

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

District of Massachusetts

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

District of Minnesota

United States Attorney’s Office for the

District of Montana

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

District of Nebraska

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

District of Nevada
PARTICIPATING AGENCIES

* Additional non-public actions were taken by

Operation Stop Scam Calls participants PAGE 2 OF 2

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

District of Rhode Island

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

District of South Carolina

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

District of Utah

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Eastern District of California

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Eastern District of New York

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Eastern District of Pennsylvania

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Eastern District of Texas

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Eastern District of Virginia

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Middle District of Florida

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Middle District of Georgia

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Middle District of Pennsylvania

United States Attorney’s Office for the

Northern District of California

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Northern District of Florida

United States Attorney’s Office for the

Northern District of Georgia

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Northern District of Illinois

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Northern District of Ohio

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Northern District of West Virginia

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Southern District of California

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Southern District of Florida

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Southern District of Indiana 

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Southern District of New York

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Southern District of Ohio

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Southern District of Texas

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Western District of Kentucky

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Western District of Michigan

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Western District of North Carolina

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Western District of Pennsylvania

United States Attorney’s Office for the 

Western District of Texas

United States Department of Justice, 

Commercial Litigation Branch, Financial 

Litigation Section, Civil Division

United States Department of Justice, 

Consumer Protection Branch 

United States Department of Justice, 

Criminal Division

United States Postal Inspection Service

Utah Attorney General’s Office

Utah Division of Consumer Protection 

Vermont Attorney General’s Office

Virginia Attorney General’s Office

Washington Attorney General’s Office

West Virginia Attorney General’s Office

Wisconsin Attorney General’s Office

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade 

and Consumer Protection 

Wyoming Attorney General’s Office
1 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Staff Contact

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

NEW ACTIONS

United States v. Fluent, LLC, 

et al.

(Fluent, LLC; FTC Matter No. 

1923230)

United States District Court

Southern District of Florida

Case No. 9:23-cv-81045

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking civil penalties, 

permanent injunction, 

monetary relief, and other 

relief. Alleged violations of 

Section 5 of the FTC Act, the 

Telemarketing Sales Rule, 

and the Controlling the 

Assault of Non-Solicited 

Pornography and Marketing 

Act of 2003 (“CAN-SPAM 

Act”).

July 17, 2023: Complaint for Civil Penalties, 

Permanent Injunction, Monetary Relief, and Other 

Relief filed.

July 17, 2023: Joint Motion for Entry of Proposed 

Stipulated Order and Stipulated Order for Permanent 

Injunction, Monetary Judgment, Civil Penalty 

Judgment, and Other Relief filed.

Matter resolved through stipulation.

Federal Trade Commission 

and U.S. Department of 

Justice

(Case filed by the U.S. 

Department of Justice on 

behalf of the Federal Trade 

Commission)

Mitchell J. Katz 

Office of Public Affairs

(202) 326-2161

Purba Mukerjee

FTC Midwest Region

(312) 960-5611

United States v. Viceroy Media 

Solutions, LLC, et al.

(Viceroy Media Solutions; FTC 

Matter No. 2123088)

United States District Court

Northern District of California

Case No. 3:23-cv-3516

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking monetary civil 

penalties, a permanent 

injunction, and other 

equitable relief. Alleged 

violations of Section 5 of the 

FTC Act and the 

Telemarketing Sales Rule.

July 14, 2023: Complaint for Civil Penalties, 

Permanent Injunction, and Other Relief filed.

July 14, 2023: Stipulated Order for Civil Penalty 

Judgment, Permanent Injunction, and Other Relief 

filed.

July 17, 2023: Stipulated Order for Civil Penalty 

Judgment, Permanent Injunction, and Other Relief 

entered.

Matter resolved through stipulation.

Federal Trade Commission 

and U.S. Department of 

Justice

(Case filed by the U.S. 

Department of Justice on 

behalf of the Federal Trade 

Commission)

Mitchell J. Katz 

Office of Public Affairs

(202) 326-2161

Denise M. Oki

FTC Western Region – 

San Francisco

(415) 848-5100

United States v. Yodel 

Technologies, LLC, et al.

(Yodel Technologies, LLC; 

FTC Matter No. 2123074)

United States District Court

Middle District of Florida

Case No. 8:23-cv-1575

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking monetary civil 

penalties, a permanent 

injunction, and other 

equitable relief. Alleged 

violations of the 

Telemarketing Sales Rule.

July 14, 2023: Complaint for Permanent Injunction, 

Civil Penalties, and Other Relief filed.

July 14, 2023: Joint Motion for Entry of Proposed 

Stipulated Order and Stipulated Order for Permanent 

Injunction, Civil Penalty Judgment, and Other Relief 

filed.

Matter resolved through stipulation.

Federal Trade Commission 

and U.S. Department of 

Justice

(Case filed by the U.S. 

Department of Justice on 

behalf of the Federal Trade 

Commission)

Mitchell J. Katz 

Office of Public Affairs

(202) 326-2161

Jason C. Moon

FTC Southwest Region

(214) 979-9378
2 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Staff Contact

United States v. Hello Hello 

Miami, LLC, et al.

(Hello Hello Miami; FTC 

Matter No. 2223041)

United States District Court

Southern District of Florida

Case No. 1:23-cv-22553

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking monetary civil 

penalties, a permanent 

injunction, and other relief. 

Alleged violations of the 

Telemarketing Sales Rule.

July 10, 2023: Complaint for Civil Penalties, 

Permanent Injunction, Monetary Relief, and Other 

Relief and Demand for Jury Trial filed.

Case pending.

Federal Trade Commission 

and U.S. Department of 

Justice

(Case filed by the U.S. 

Department of Justice on 

behalf of the Federal Trade 

Commission)

Mitchell J. Katz 

Office of Public Affairs

(202) 326-2161

Sophia Siddiqui

FTC Bureau of 

Consumer Protection

(202) 326-2230 

United States and State of 

Arizona v. Vision Solar LLC, 

et al.

(Solar Xchange; FTC Matter 

No. 2223063) 

United States District Court

District of Arizona

Case No. 2:23-cv-01387

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking a permanent 

injunction, monetary civil 

penalties, and other relief. 

Alleged violations of Section 

5 of the FTC Act, the 

Telemarketing Sales Rule, 

the Arizona Consumer Fraud 

Act, and the Arizona 

Telephone Solicitation Act. 

July 14, 2023: Complaint for Permanent Injunction, 

Civil Penalties, and Other Relief and Demand for Jury 

Trial filed.

July 14, 2023: Joint Motion for Entry of Stipulated 

Order for Permanent Injunction, Civil Penalty 

Judgment, and Other Relief as to Defendants Solar 

Xchange LLC and Mark Getts and Stipulated Order for 

Permanent Injunction, Civil Penalty Judgment, and 

Other Relief as to Defendants Solar Xchange LLC and 

Mark Getts filed. 

Case pending (as to Defendant Vision Solar LLC).

Federal Trade Commission, 

U.S. Department of Justice, 

and Arizona Attorney 

General’s Office

(Case filed by the U.S. 

Department of Justice, on 

behalf of the Federal Trade 

Commission, and the 

Arizona Attorney General’s 

Office) 

Mitchell J. Katz 

Office of Public Affairs

(202) 326-2161

Alan Bakowski

FTC Southeast Region

(404) 656-1363

Laura Dilweg

Arizona Attorney 

General’s Office

(602) 542-7753
3 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Staff Contact

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED ACTIONS/MATTERS

Project Point of No Entry 

(PoNE)

Cease and Desist/Warning 

Letters

To stop illegal overseas calls, Project PoNE targets 

“point of entry” or “gateway” VoIP service providers 

and warns they must work to keep illegal robocalls out 

of the country. Through Project PoNE, the 

Commission: (1) identifies point of entry VoIP service 

providers that are routing or transmitting illegal call 

traffic, (2) demands they stop doing so and warns their 

conduct may violate the Telemarketing Sales Rule, and 

then (3) monitors them to pursue recalcitrant providers, 

including by opening law enforcement investigations 

and filing lawsuits when appropriate.

April 11, 2023: FTC Ramps Up Fight to Close the 

Door on Illegal Robocalls Originating from Overseas 

Scammers and Imposters

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/pressreleases/2023/04/ftc-ramps-fight-close-door-illegalrobocalls-originating-overseas-scammers-imposters 

Ongoing project.

Federal Trade Commission Mitchell J. Katz 

Office of Public Affairs

(202) 326-2161

Fil M. de Banate

FTC East Central 

Region

(216) 263-3413

Christian Capece

FTC East Central 

Region

(216) 263-3419

United States v. XCast Labs, 

Inc.

(XCast Labs; FTC Matter No. 

2223097)

United States District Court

Central District of California

Case No. 2:23-cv-03646

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking permanent 

injunction, civil penalties, 

and other relief. Alleged 

violation of the 

Telemarketing Sales Rule.

May 12, 2023: Complaint for Permanent Injunction, 

Civil Penalties, and Other Relief and Demand for Jury 

Trial filed.

May 12, 2023: FTC Sues to Stop VoIP Service 

Provider That Assisted and Facilitated Telemarketers 

in Sending Hundreds of Millions of Illegal Robocalls 

to Consumers Nationwide

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/pressreleases/2023/05/ftc-sues-stop-voip-service-providerassisted-facilitated-telemarketers-sending-hundredsmillions 

Case pending.

Federal Trade Commission 

and U.S. Department of 

Justice

(Case filed by the U.S. 

Department of Justice on 

behalf of the Federal Trade

Commission)

Mitchell J. Katz 

Office of Public Affairs

(202) 326-2161

Thomas M. Biesty

FTC Bureau of 

Consumer Protection

(202) 326-3043 
4 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Staff Contact

United States v. Stratics 

Networks Inc., et al.

(Stratics Networks; FTC Matter 

No. 2023189)

United States District Court

Southern District of California

Case No. 3:23-cv-00313

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking permanent 

injunction, monetary relief, 

civil penalties, and other 

relief. Alleged violations of 

Section 5 of the FTC Act (as 

to Defendants Tek Ventures, 

LLC, also d/b/a Provident 

Solutions; Atlas Marketing 

Partners, Inc.; Atlas 

Investment Ventures, LLC; 

Eric Petersen; Todd 

DiRoberto; Kasm, also d/b/a 

Kasm, Inc.; and Kenan 

Azzeh) and the 

Telemarketing Sales Rule (as 

to all defendants).

February 16, 2023: Complaint for Permanent 

Injunction, Monetary Relief, Civil Penalties, and Other 

Relief filed.

February 16, 2023: Joint Motion for Entry of 

Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction, Monetary 

Judgment, and Other Relief filed as to Defendants 

Kasm, also d/b/a Kasm, Inc., and Kenan Azzeh.

February 17, 2023: FTC Sues to Stop Interconnected 

Web of VoIP Service Providers Carrying Robocalls 

Pitching Phony Debt Relief Services

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/pressreleases/2023/02/ftc-sues-stop-interconnected-webvoip-service-providers-carrying-robocalls-pitchingphony-debt 

February 23, 2023: Stipulated Order for Permanent 

Injunction, Monetary Judgment, and Other Relief 

entered by the Court as to Defendants Kasm, also d/b/a 

Kasm, Inc., and Kenan Azzeh.

June 14, 2023: Stipulated Order for Permanent 

Injunction, Monetary Judgment, and Other Relief 

entered by the Court as to Defendants Netlatitude, Inc., 

and Kurt Hannigan.

Case pending (as to remaining defendants).

Federal Trade Commission 

and U.S. Department of 

Justice 

(Case filed by the U.S. 

Department of Justice on 

behalf of the Federal Trade 

Commission)

Mitchell J. Katz 

Office of Public Affairs

(202) 326-2161

Christopher E. Brown

FTC Bureau of 

Consumer Protection

(202) 326-2825
5 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Staff Contact

United States v. VoIP 

Terminator, Inc., et al.

(VoIP Terminator; FTC Matter 

No. 1923189)

United States District Court

Middle District of Florida

Case No. 6:22-cv-00798

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking permanent 

injunction, civil penalties, 

and other relief. Alleged 

violations of the 

Telemarketing Sales Rule.

April 26, 2022: Compliant for Permanent Injunction, 

Civil Penalties, and Other Relief filed.

April 26, 2022: United States’ Consent Motion for 

Entry of Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction, 

Civil Penalty Judgment, and Other Relief (“Consent 

Decree”) filed.

April 26, 2022: FTC Takes Action to Stop Voice over 

Internet Provider from Facilitating Illegal 

Telemarketing Robocalls, Including Scams Relating to 

the Pandemic

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/pressreleases/2022/04/ftc-takes-action-stop-voice-overinternet-provider-facilitating-illegal-telemarketingrobocalls 

May 4, 2022: Stipulated Order for Permanent 

Injunction, Civil Penalty Judgment, and Other Relief 

entered by the Court.

Federal Trade Commission 

and U.S. Department of 

Justice

(Case filed by the U.S. 

Department of Justice on 

behalf of the Federal Trade 

Commission)

Mitchell J. Katz 

Office of Public Affairs

(202) 326-2161

Jody Goodman

FTC Bureau of 

Consumer Protection

(202) 326-3096
6 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Staff Contact

Federal Trade Commission v. 

American Vehicle Protection 

Corp., et al.

(American Vehicle Protection; 

FTC Matter No. 2023103)

United States District Court

Southern District of Florida

Case No. 0:22-cv-60298

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking preliminary and 

permanent injunctive relief, 

monetary relief, and other 

relief. Alleged violations of 

Section 5 of the FTC Act and 

the Telemarketing Sales 

Rule.

February 8, 2022: Complaint for Permanent 

Injunction, Monetary Relief, and Other Relief filed.

February 9, 2022: FTC Charges Florida-based 

Sellers for Deceptively Marketing “Extended Auto 

Warranty” Programs

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/pressreleases/2022/02/ftc-charges-florida-based-sellersdeceptively-marketing-extended-auto-warrantyprograms 

March 24, 2023: FTC Action Leads to Lifetime 

Industry Ban for Operators of ‘Extended Vehicle 

Warranty’ Scam

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/pressreleases/2023/03/ftc-action-leads-lifetime-industryban-operators-extended-vehicle-warranty-scam 

March 27, 2023: Stipulated Order for Permanent 

Injunction and Monetary Judgment as to Certain 

Defendants (American Vehicle Protection Corp., CG3 

Solutions Inc., d/b/a My Protection Plan Inc., Tony 

Gonzalez Consulting Group, Inc., Tony Allen 

Gonzalez, and Charles Gonzalez) entered by the Court.

June 23, 2023: Stipulated Order for Permanent 

Injunction, Monetary Judgment, and Other Relief as to 

Defendants Daniel Kole and Kole Consulting Group, 

Inc., entered by the Court.

Federal Trade Commission Mitchell J. Katz 

Office of Public Affairs

(202) 326-2161

Harold Kirtz

FTC Southeast Region

(404) 656-1357 
7 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Staff Contact

Federal Trade Commission v. 

Netlatitude, Inc.

United States District Court

Southern District of Texas

Case No. 4:21-mc-01300

Federal Court Petition to 

Enforce Civil Investigative 

Demand

May 28, 2021: Petition to Enforce Civil Investigative 

Demand filed.

March 10, 2022: Order Granting Motion for Hearing 

or Ruling on Petition to Enforce Civil Investigative 

Demand filed.

April 21, 2022: Notice Regarding Response to Civil 

Investigative demand filed indicating respondent 

produced documents, provided narrative responses, 

and produced sworn certification regarding the 

completeness of its document production and 

interrogatory responses.

Federal Trade Commission Mitchell J. Katz 

Office of Public Affairs

(202) 326-2161

Miles D. Freeman

FTC Western Region – 

Los Angeles

(310) 824-4332

Federal Trade Commission v. 

Deltracon Inc.

United States District Court

Central District of California

Case No. 8:21-mc-00025

Federal Court Petition to 

Enforce Civil Investigative 

Demand

July 16, 2021: Petition to Enforce Civil Investigative 

Demand filed.

August 25, 2021: Order to Show Cause issued by the 

Court.

February 14, 2022: FTC to VoIP Providers: Turn 

Over Information for Robocall Investigations or 

Prepare to be Sued in Federal Court

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/pressreleases/2022/02/ftc-voip-providers-turn-overinformation-robocall-investigations-or-prepare-besued-federal-court 

Federal Trade Commission Mitchell J. Katz 

Office of Public Affairs

(202) 326-2161

Valerie Verduce

FTC Southeast Region

(404) 656-1355

William Hodor

FTC Midwest Region

(312) 960-5592
8 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Staff Contact

Federal Trade Commission v. 

XCast Labs, Inc.

United States District Court

Central District of California

Case No. 2:21-mc-01026

Federal Court Petition to 

Enforce Civil Investigative 

Demand

August 6, 2021: Petition for Summary Enforcement 

of a Civil Investigative Demand filed.

December 9, 2021: Report and Recommendation of 

United States Magistrate Judge entered by the Court.

January 6, 2022: Order Accepting Findings and 

Recommendations of United States Magistrate Judge 

entered by the Court.

January 6, 2022: Judgment entered by the Court.

February 14, 2022: FTC to VoIP Providers: Turn 

Over Information for Robocall Investigations or 

Prepare to be Sued in Federal Court

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/pressreleases/2022/02/ftc-voip-providers-turn-overinformation-robocall-investigations-or-prepare-besued-federal-court

Federal Trade Commission Mitchell J. Katz 

Office of Public Affairs

(202) 326-2161

Valerie Verduce

FTC Southeast Region

(404) 656-1355

William Hodor

FTC Midwest Region

(312) 960-5592
9 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

United States 

Department of 

Justice

Department of Justice (DOJ) participants include the Department of Justice, Consumer Protection Branch, Civil Division; Department of Justice, 

Criminal Division; Department of Justice, Commercial Litigation Branch, Financial Litigation Section, Civil Division; and the United States Attorney’s 

Offices for the following districts: Central District of California; District of Arizona; District of Colorado; District of Columbia; District of Connecticut; 

District of Delaware; District of Maryland; District of Massachusetts; District of Minnesota; District of Montana; District of Nebraska; District of 

Nevada; District of New Jersey; District of Rhode Island; District of South Carolina; District of Utah; Eastern District of California; Eastern District of 

New York; Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Eastern District of Texas; Eastern District of Virginia; Middle District of Florida; Middle District of 

Georgia; Middle District of Pennsylvania; Northern District of California; Northern District of Florida; Northern District of Georgia; Northern District of 

Illinois; Northern District of Ohio; Northern District of West Virginia; Southern District of California; Southern District of Florida; Southern District of 

Indiana; Southern District of New York; Southern District of Ohio; Southern District of Texas; Western District of Kentucky; Western District of 

Michigan; Western District of North Carolina; Western District of Pennsylvania; and Western District of Texas. 

All criminal charges are allegations and defendants are innocent until proven guilty.

United States v. Hello 

Hello Miami, et al.

Civil Lawsuit Civil suit alleging that Hello Hello Miami, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) 

provider, and its CEO assisted and facilitated the dialing of millions of calls that violated 

the Telemarketing Sales Rule, including by placing calls to individuals on the Do Not Call 

Registry and by playing prerecorded messages (robocalls) without consent. The 

complaint alleges that many such calls were used to carry out fraud schemes by, for 

example, impersonating Amazon and attempting to induce consumers to purchase goods 

or services or provide personal information. 

July 10, 2023: Complaint filed.

FTC; DOJ

Consumer 

Protection 

Branch; and 

United States

Attorney’s Office 

for the Southern 

District of Florida

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States and 

State of Arizona v. 

Vision Solar LLC, et 

al.

Civil Lawsuit Civil suit alleging that Vision Solar LLC, a company that sells solar panels to consumers; 

Solar Xchange LLC, a telemarketer that Vision Solar paid to generate consumer leads and 

schedule appointments; and Solar Xchange’s owner and CEO violated the Telemarketing 

Sales Rule, including by placing tens of millions of calls to phone numbers on the 

National Do Not Call Registry and falsely telling consumers that they were affiliated with 

an electric utility company or government entity. A proposed resolution has been reached 

with two defendants.

July 14, 2023: Complaint and proposed resolution with two defendants filed.

FTC and DOJ 

Consumer 

Protection Branch

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. Yodel 

Technologies, et al.

Civil Lawsuit Civil suit alleging that Yodel Technologies, a telemarketing company that makes calls 

selling a variety of products and services, and its owner made millions of calls that 

violated the Telemarketing Sales Rule, including by placing calls to individuals on the Do 

Not Call Registry and by playing prerecorded messages (robocalls) without obtaining 

legitimate consent. Parties have reached a proposed resolution.

July 14, 2023: Complaint and proposed resolution filed.

FTC; DOJ 

Consumer 

Protection 

Branch; and 

United States

Attorney’s Office 

for the Middle 

District of Florida

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
10 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

United States v. 

Fluent, et al.

Civil Lawsuit Civil suit alleging that Fluent is substantially assisting violations of the Telemarketing 

Sales Rule by procuring purported consumer consents to receive robocalls via deceptive 

and unfair means. Parties have reached a proposed resolution.

July 17, 2023: Complaint and proposed resolution filed.

FTC; DOJ 

Consumer 

Protection 

Branch; and 

United States

Attorney’s Office 

for the Southern 

District of Florida

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Viceroy Media 

Solutions, LLC, et al.

Civil Lawsuit Civil suit alleging that Viceroy Media Solutions, LLC, dba quick-jobs.com, Voltron 

Interactive, LLC, and two individual defendants violated the Telemarketing Sales Rule by 

operating as “consent farms” that obtains consumers’ personal information and purported 

consent under the guise of offering access to job listings and then sell the leads to entities 

that inundate the consumers with illegal robocalls and other solicitations. Parties have 

reached a proposed resolution.

July 14, 2023: Complaint and resolution filed and entered. 

FTC; DOJ 

Consumer 

Protection 

Branch; and 

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Northern 

District of 

California

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Nexway, et al.

Civil Lawsuit Civil suit seeking injunctive relief, civil penalties, and other monetary relief against six 

corporate entities and two individuals. Lawsuit alleges that, since at least August 2016, 

the defendants violated the FTC Act and the Telemarketing Sales Rule by processing 

credit card payments for India-based Tech Live Connect and other foreign clients that 

commit telemarketing fraud via tech support scams. The case settled for strong injunctive 

relief and $49.5 million in civil penalties. Defendants to pay $650,000, remaining 

suspended due to defendants’ inability to pay.

April 3, 2023: Complaint filed. 

April 14, 2023: Settlement entered. 

April 17, 2023: Credit Card Processors Ordered to Pay $650,000 in Consumer Redress 

for Assisting in Fraudulent Computer Repair Telemarketing Schemes

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/credit-card-processors-ordered-pay-650000-consumerredress-assisting-fraudulent-computer 

April 17, 2023: FTC Acts to Block Payment Processor’s Credit Card Laundering for 

Tech Support Scammers

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/04/ftc-acts-block-paymentprocessors-credit-card-laundering-tech-support-scammers

FTC and DOJ 

Consumer 

Protection Branch

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
11 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

United States v. 

Stratics Networks, et 

al.

Civil Lawsuit Civil suit seeking injunctive relief, civil penalties, and other monetary relief against 

Stratics Networks, Inc. and multiple other defendants for violating the FTC Act and the 

Telemarketing Sales Rule by initiating and transmitting telemarketing calls that use fake 

consents to leave prerecorded voice messages marketing misleading and unfair products, 

including credit card debt relief services.

February 17, 2023: Complaint and proposed resolution with two defendants filed. 

February 17, 2023: United States Files Complaint Against Illegal Robocall 

Telemarketers and Telecommunications Service Providers

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/united-states-files-complaint-against-illegal-robocalltelemarketers-and-telecommunications

February 17, 2023: FTC Sues to Stop Interconnected Web of VoIP Service Providers 

Carrying Robocalls Pitching Phony Debt Relief Services

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/02/ftc-sues-stopinterconnected-web-voip-service-providers-carrying-robocalls-pitching-phony-debt

June 16, 2023: Resolution entered with two additional defendants. 

FTC and DOJ 

Consumer 

Protection Branch

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. XCast 

Labs, Inc.

Civil Lawsuit Civil suit seeking injunctive relief, civil penalties, and other monetary relief against XCast 

Labs, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider. Lawsuit alleges XCast Labs 

assisted and facilitated the dialing of billions of calls that violated the Telemarketing Sales 

Rule. These robocalls delivered prerecorded marketing messages, and many of them were 

delivered to numbers listed on the National Do Not Call Registry, failed to truthfully 

identify the seller of the services being marketed, falsely claimed affiliations with 

government entities, contained other false or misleading statements to induce purchases, 

or were transmitted with “spoofed” caller ID information. The complaint alleges that 

XCast Labs continued to allow its services to transmit these calls even after being alerted 

to their illegality.

May 12, 2023: Complaint filed. 

May 12, 2023: United States Files Complaint Against Telecommunications Service 

Provider for Assisting and Facilitating Illegal Robocalls

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/united-states-files-complaint-against-telecommunicationsservice-provider-assisting-and 

May 12, 2023: FTC Sues to Stop VoIP Service Provider That Assisted and Facilitated 

Telemarketers in Sending Hundreds of Millions of Illegal Robocalls to Consumers 

Nationwide

FTC and DOJ 

Consumer 

Protection Branch

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
12 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/05/ftc-sues-stop-voip-serviceprovider-assisted-facilitated-telemarketers-sending-hundreds-millions 

United States v. VoIP 

Terminator, et al.

Civil Lawsuit Suit alleged that Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service provider defendants 

facilitated tens of millions of illegal telemarketing calls, and robocalls that displayed 

spoofed caller IDs. The complaint alleges that the illegal calls transmitted by defendants 

included recorded messages about air duct cleaning services that purportedly filtered out 

COVID-19, preying on consumers’ fears of the virus, as well as messages involving credit 

card interest rate reduction and tech support scams. The case settled for strong injunctive 

relief and $3.3 million in civil penalties suspended due to defendants’ inability to pay.

April 26, 2022: Complaint filed. 

April 26, 2022: FTC Takes Action to Stop Voice over Internet Provider from Facilitating 

Illegal Telemarketing Robocalls, Including Scams Relating to the Pandemic

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/04/ftc-takes-action-stop-voiceover-internet-provider-facilitating-illegal-telemarketing-robocalls

May 6, 2022: Settlement entered. 

May 6, 2022: United States Settles Suit Against VoIP Service Providers for Facilitating 

Millions of Illegal Telemarketing Calls about COVID-19

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/united-states-settles-suit-against-voip-service-providersfacilitating-millions-illegal 

FTC and DOJ 

Consumer 

Protection Branch

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. Luis 

Enrique Rendon 

Cardenas

Criminal Case A California man was sentenced to 65 months in prison for his role in conspiring with 

Peruvian-based call centers that defrauded Spanish-speaking United States residents by 

falsely threatening them with arrest, deportation, and other legal consequences. 

He is the eleventh defendant to be sentenced to prison in the scheme. As part of the 

investigation, seven Peruvian call center owner-operators and four distribution center 

operators who processed payments and facilitated the fraud have been convicted and 

sentenced.

December 7, 2022: Guilty plea entered. 

December 7, 2022: Eleventh Defendant Pleads guilty in $15 Million Scheme to Defraud 

Spanish-Speaking United States Immigrants

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/eleventh-defendant-pleads-guilty-15-million-schemedefraud-spanish-speaking-united-states

DOJ Consumer 

Protection Branch

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
13 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

March 8, 2023: Sentencing.

March 8, 2023: Eleventh Defendant Sentenced in $15 Million Scheme to Defraud 

Thousands of Spanish-Speaking United States Immigrants

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/eleventh-defendant-sentenced-15-million-scheme-defraudthousands-spanish-speaking-united 

United States v. 

Anthony Stewart

Criminal Case A resident of Montego Bay, Jamaica was extradited to the United States on charges 

relating to his participation in a lottery fraud scheme. Victims throughout the United 

States received phone calls in which they were falsely informed that they had won cash

prizes totaling over $1 million and needed to pay fees to claim their winnings. The 

victims never received any “winnings.”

October 28, 2022: Extradition announced. 

October 28, 2022: Jamaican National Extradited to the United States in Connection with

Fraudulent Lottery Scheme That Targeted Elderly Victims in the United States

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/jamaican-national-extradited-united-states-connectionfraudulent-lottery-scheme-targeted 

DOJ Consumer 

Protection Branch

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. Greg 

Warren Clarke

Criminal Case A Jamaican national was extradited and sentenced to three years in prison for conspiring 

to run a Jamaica-based lottery scam. Victims were called and told they won a large 

lottery prize, but needed to pay taxes or fees to claim it. A coconspirator was also charged 

and sentenced to three years in prison. 

August 19, 2022: Jamaican National Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Elderly Americans 

Through a Jamaica-Based Lottery Scam

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/jamaican-national-pleads-guilty-defrauding-elderlyamericans-through-jamaica-based-lottery 

October 28, 2022: Sentencing. 

October 28, 2022: Jamaican National Sentenced for Stealing Money from Elderly 

Americans through Jamaica-Based Lottery Scam

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/jamaican-national-sentenced-stealing-money-elderlyamericans-through-jamaica-based-lottery 

DOJ Consumer 

Protection Branch

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
14 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

United States v. 

Damone D. Oakley

Criminal Case A Jamaican national was extradited and has pled guilty to charges relating to his 

participation in a phony sweepstakes scheme. Victims throughout the United States 

received mailings, text messages or phone calls in which they were falsely told that they 

had won millions of dollars and luxury vehicles in a sweepstakes, but first needed to pay 

taxes and fees in order to claim their winnings. The indictment alleges that the defendant, 

using a variety of names, including “Officer Alex Logan” and “Officer Stan Valentine,” 

instructed his victims to send their money in order to acquire their purported “winnings.”

July 7, 2023: Guilty plea entered.

DOJ Consumer 

Protection 

Branch; United 

States Attorney’s 

Office for the 

Middle District of 

Pennsylvania

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. Jon J. 

Kahen

Criminal Case A New York man and CEO of Global Voicecom Inc. (GVI) pleaded guilty to money 

laundering for his role as the owner and operator of a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) 

company that facilitated and profited from the introduction of fraudulent robocall traffic 

into the United States. Beginning at least as early as 2016, GVI began serving as a 

gateway carrier for an India-based VoIP provider that used GVI’s gateway carrier services 

to route fraudulent robocalls – including, but not limited to, government imposter calls. 

By 2018, defendant became aware that this India-based VoIP provider was using GVI’s 

telecommunications services to engage in unlawful activities (e.g., wire fraud involving 

fraudulent robocalls), and by May 2019, he was aware that the funds paid to GVI by this 

client for continued gateway carrier services constituted the proceeds of unlawful 

activities. Despite this knowledge, defendant conducted unlawful monetary transactions 

involving these criminally derived funds.

September 16, 2022: Guilty plea.

September 16, 2022: New York Man Enters Guilty Plea to Laundering Monies 

Connected to Proceeds from Facilitating Fraudulent Robocalls

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/new-york-man-enters-guilty-plea-laundering-moniesconnected-proceeds-facilitating-fraudulent 

DOJ Consumer 

Protection 

Branch; United 

States Attorney’s 

Office for the 

Southern District 

of California

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. Tracy 

Knowles, et al.

Criminal Case Two defendants were sentenced for their roles in a grandparent or emergency scam. One 

received 108 months in prison and the other 24 months in prison.

Members of the criminal enterprise contacted consumers by phone and told them phony 

stories that their grandchildren were in legal trouble and needed money to pay for bail, 

pay medical expenses for car accident victims, or prevent additional charges from being 

filed. Members of the conspiracy and their associates obtained money from victims 

through in-person cash pick-ups, by mail or commercial carriers, or via wire transfers. 

Conspirators laundered the proceeds by transferring the funds or converting from fiat 

currency to cryptocurrency. Three other coconspirators have also pled guilty and been 

sentenced.

DOJ Consumer 

Protection 

Branch; United 

States Attorney’s 

Office for the 

Southern District 

of California

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
15 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

August 31, 2022: Sentencings.

August 31, 2022: Two Defendants in ‘Grandparent Scam’ Network Sentenced for RICO 

Conspiracy Targeting Elderly Americans 

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-defendants-grandparent-scam-network-sentencedrico-conspiracy-targeting-elderly-americans 

United States v. 

Harold Sobel

Criminal Case Defendant was sentenced to 42 months in prison for his role as part of an international 

criminal enterprise that unlawfully debited money from the bank accounts of unknowing 

U.S. victims. Members of the criminal enterprise created shell companies for the purpose 

of receiving victim funds and created fake websites for the shell companies that claimed 

to offer products or services, such as cloud storage. Members of the criminal enterprise 

executed unauthorized debits against victims’ bank accounts, while falsely representing to 

banks that the debits were authorized by the victims as payment for the non-existent 

products and services. 

The criminal enterprise also operated a call center that fielded complaints from victims of 

the unauthorized debits. The call center sought to dissuade victims from making reports to 

the victims’ banks and to government agencies.

December 16, 2022: Sentencing.

December 16, 2022: Defendant Sentenced for Role in Sophisticated International 

Scheme to Steal Money from American Consumers’ Bank Accounts

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/defendant-sentenced-role-sophisticated-internationalscheme-steal-money-american-consumers 

DOJ Consumer 

Protection 

Branch; United 

States Attorney’s 

Office for the 

Southern District 

of Texas

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Roger, et al.

Criminal Case A defendant was sentenced to nearly 12 years in prison for his role in a lottery scam in 

which telemarketers based in Costa Rica called consumers and falsely posed as U.S. 

government officials and contacted victims in the United States to tell them they had won 

a substantial “sweepstakes” prize, but before collecting this supposed prize, they needed 

to make a series of up-front payments to cover purported taxes or other fees. Multiple 

other defendants have been convicted and sentenced.

January 11, 2023: Sentencing.

January 11, 2023: Man Sentenced for Role in International Telemarketing Scheme

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/man-sentenced-role-international-telemarketing-scheme 

DOJ, Criminal 

Division, Fraud 

Section 

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
16 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

United States v. 

Adrian Abramovich

Civil Lawsuit Lawsuit filed under the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009 seeking recovery of a forfeiture 

imposed by the FCC for defendant’s Caller-ID violations. The complaint alleges 

defendant made more than 96 million robocalls during just a three-month period, and that 

an FCC sample of 80,000 calls revealed use of false caller identification information, 

commonly known as “spoofing.”

May 8, 2023: Complaint filed.

DOJ, Financial 

Litigation Section, 

Commercial 

Litigation Branch

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Michael Alexai 

Dragunov, et al.

Criminal Case A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging two men who allegedly ran a 

decade-long telemarketing scam primarily targeting elderly victims that fraudulently 

obtained more than $4.5 million via false promises to help victims sell or rent their 

timeshare properties. According to the indictment, from August 2013 to June 2023, the 

defendants purported to represent companies that provided advertising and other services 

to current or former timeshare owners. Victims allegedly were induced to enter into 

agreements with the defendants’ telemarketing companies by falsely representing that the 

telemarketing companies would assist the victims with selling or renting their timeshare 

properties for a “one time” advertising fee.

July 11, 2023: Indictment

July 11, 2023: West L.A. Man Charged with Running Decade-Long $4.5 Million 

Timeshare Telemarketing Scheme That Scammed Elderly Victims

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/west-la-man-charged-running-decade-long-45-

million-timeshare-telemarketing-scheme 

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Central 

District of 

California 

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Eghosasere AvborayeIgbinedion

Criminal Case A federal jury convicted Eghosasere Avboraye-Igbinedion for a federal charge of 

conspiracy to commit mail fraud and four counts of mail fraud, in connection with a 

scheme in which he and his co-conspirators defrauded more than 85 victims of more than 

$2.5 million. 

Conspirators targeted victims throughout the United States, calling and posing as a police 

officer, lawyer, or other individual, falsely telling the victim that a relative, typically the 

victim’s grandchild, had been incarcerated in connection with a car accident or traffic stop 

involving a crime, and needed money—often tens of thousands of dollars—for bail, legal 

fees, and other expenses. The evidence proved that Avboraye-Ibginedion’s part in the 

scheme was to retrieve packages of cash sent by elderly victims. A co-defendant was 

sentenced to nine years in prison. 

June 16, 2023: Conviction.

June 16, 2023: Florida Man Convicted in Maryland After Six-Day Trial for Nationwide 

Scheme That Defrauded Elderly Victims of More Than $2.5 Million

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

Maryland

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
17 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/florida-man-convicted-maryland-after-six-day-trialnationwide-scheme-defrauded-elderly 

United States v. 

Maurice Tunnell

Civil Lawsuit Secured permanent injunction against an individual who allegedly moved proceeds for a 

lottery fraud scheme. Victims received phone calls telling them they had won a prize but 

needed to pay taxes and fees before receiving the winnings. 

June 16, 2023: Permanent injunction.

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

Delaware

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Shannon Burns

United States v. James 

Burns

United States v. 

Roberta Gass

Civil Lawsuits The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania filed three separate 

civil complaints and civil injunctions against alleged money mules accused of 

participating in lottery fraud schemes based in Jamaica and Nigeria. Architects of lottery 

schemes contact potential victims, falsely claim that those victims have won the lottery, 

and thereby induce the victims to send money to account for taxes and fees purportedly 

associated with victims’ falsely promised lottery winnings.

May 25, 2023: Civil resolutions announced.

May 25, 2023: United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Announces 

Participation in National Money Mule Initiative; Obtains Three Civil Injunctions Against 

Alleged Money Mules Involved in Lottery Scams 

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/united-states-attorney-eastern-district-pennsylvaniaannounces-participation-national 

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Eastern 

District of 

Pennsylvania

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. Liang 

Liang Zeng, et al.

Criminal Case A Chinese national residing in New York was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison 

for wire fraud related to a fraudulent gift card scheme where fraudsters induced victims to 

purchase gift cards via phone calls. For example, a conspirator called victim J.G., a 

resident of South Carolina, claiming to be a representative of the IRS. The caller 

informed the victim that she owed taxes to the IRS and would be arrested if the 

outstanding taxes were not paid. The caller advised J.G. that she could resolve the debt by 

purchasing gift cards from Target and Walmart and providing the caller with the numbers 

on the back of each card. Dozens of victims in many different states were defrauded. The 

defendant used the gift cards to purchase high end electronics. Two co-defendants have 

pleaded guilty to their roles in the scheme.

 

May 26, 2023: Sentencing.

May 26, 2023: Chinese National Sentenced to 54 Months in Federal Prison for a $1 

Million Fraudulent Gift Card Scheme 

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/chinese-national-sentenced-54-months-federalprison-1-million-fraudulent-gift-card 

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

Maryland

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
18 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

United States v. 

Reinaldo Miralles 

Gonzalez

Criminal Case Reinaldo Miralles Gonzalz has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and ordered 

to pay $123,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. 

Gonzalez was part of a fraud scheme that targeted users of a money transfer service. 

Fraudsters would call users of the service, identify themselves as FBI agents (using the 

names of real agents), and scare the users into believing that the FBI had identified them 

as financial supporters of terrorism. Threatening legal action, and in one case deportation,

the fraudsters tricked the victims into mailing blank money orders to addresses associated 

with Gonzalez. Some victims were repeatedly victimized and forced to take funds from 

retirement accounts to satisfy the demands.

May 10, 2023: Sentencing.

May 10, 2023: Member of FBI Imposter Ring That Intimidated, Defrauded Victims 

Sentenced to Federal Prison

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/member-fbi-imposter-ring-intimidated-defraudedvictims-sentenced-federal-prison

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Southern 

District of Florida

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Michael McDonagh, 

et al.

Criminal Case Michael McDonagh pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. The other four defendants 

charged with along with McDonagh also have pleaded guilty. McDonagh controlled 

several telemarketing companies that purported to offer timeshare relief. McDonaghcontrolled telemarketing companies contacted timeshare owners and offered to help them 

terminate their timeshare interest for a fixed fee. Within weeks of the victim paying the 

fee, the victims were contacted and told a series of lies to induce them to pay more 

money. 

May 8, 2023: Guilty plea.

May 8, 2023: Lead Defendant in Multimillion-Dollar Boiler Room Scam That Targeted 

Timeshare Owners Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/lead-defendant-multimillion-dollar-boiler-roomscam-targeted-timeshare-owners-pleads 

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Central 

District of 

California

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. David 

Maresca, et al.

United States v. David 

Maresca, et al.

Criminal Case & 

Civil Lawsuit

An indictment charged four individuals for their roles in a conspiracy that promised 

distressed homeowners with help to avoid foreclosure, extracted fees, but then did not 

provide the promised legal services. The scheme involved marketing Synergy Law and 

Themis Law through telephone, television, and Internet advertising which told 

homeowners that attorneys could help them avoid foreclosure. The defendants, through 

the law firms, operated call centers, where workers used scripts during calls with 

homeowners falsely promising that an attorney would review the homeowner's case file. 

The conspirators knew their claims were false and fraudulent. In a parallel civil case, the 

government secured a temporary injunction and appointment of a receiver. 

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

Columbia

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
19 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

May 3, 2023: Indictment.

May 3, 2023: Two Lawyers and Two Others Charged in Conspiracy That Defrauded 

Distressed Homeowners Looking for Help

https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/two-lawyers-and-two-others-charged-conspiracydefrauded-distressed-homeowners-looking 

May 4, 2023: Civil complaint filed.

United States v. 

Steven Short, et al.

Criminal Case Steven Short was sentenced to 78 months in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud 

and bank fraud in connection with his participation in a fraudulent scheme to obtain credit 

card processing services for his deceptive Florida-based telemarketing operation through a 

California-based company called CardReady LLC. 

Short and E.M. Systems carried out a telemarketing fraud scheme in which they used 

telemarketers to cold-call consumers, targeting consumers with outstanding credit card 

debt. Short charged fees up to $1,495 in exchange for guaranteeing to reduce debt and 

lower their interest rates, but instead generally sent them cookie-cutter booklets with 

ordinary budgeting advice. 

May 2, 2023: Sentencing.

May 2, 2023: Head of Telemarketing Operation Sentenced to 78 Months in Prison for 

$19 Million Credit Card Laundering Scheme

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/head-telemarketing-operation-sentenced-78-

months-prison-19-million-credit-card 

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Southern 

District of New 

York

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Sukhdev Vaid, et al. 

Criminal Case A federal grand jury indicted Sukhdev Vaid and Eddly Joseph on conspiracy, wire fraud, 

and interstate transportation of stolen property charges. The allegations are that the 

defendants caused a message to pop up on the victim’s computer appearing to be from 

“Microsoft Support.” The message directed the victims to call a number. When the 

victims did, the defendants said the computer had been hacked and the victims’ bank 

accounts were in danger. To fix the problem, the victims provided the defendants with 

remote access to their computers. The defendants then directed the victims to pull out the 

money in the victims’ account and give it to “the Fed” where it would be held until the 

hackers were eliminated. The defendants would then meet the victims and steal the cash.

April 26, 2023: Indictment.

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

Montana

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
20 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

United States v. Jason 

Torres, et al.

Criminal Case Two individuals were charged as part of an alleged scheme to defraud student loan 

debtors by making false promises to induce them to make payments. As part of the 

scheme, one of the defendants and others he directed called victims and falsely promised 

to reduce or eliminate student loan debt for a certain number of payments. After obtaining 

authorization from victims to withdraw payments from their bank accounts, the scheme 

then withdrew payments in excess of the amounts listed in each contract.

April 12, 2023: Indictment.

April 12, 2023: Colorado Springs Residents Indicted in Alleged Scheme to Defraud 

Hundreds of Student Loan Debtors

https://www.justice.gov/usao-co/pr/colorado-springs-residents-indicted-alleged-schemedefraud-hundreds-student-loan-debtors 

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

Colorado

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Nachiket Banwarim

Criminal Case Nachiket Banwarim was indicted for conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and 

money laundering, for his involvement in an international multi-million dollar tech 

support fraud scam. 

Banwari was part of a conspiracy that carried out an international internet technical 

support fraud scam, through his management of Capstone Technologies LLC. Fraudulent 

internet pop-up “ads” were a central part of the conspiracy’s tech support scam. It is 

alleged that the fraudulent pop-ups suddenly appeared on victims’ computers freezing 

their screens and containing misrepresentations designed to trick the victims into 

believing their computer needed technical support to fix a problem, prompting victims to 

contact Capstone at a number shown on the pop-ups. When victims called Capstone’s 

India-based call center for assistance, the indictment alleges that victims were tricked into 

purchasing unnecessary technical support services from Capstone. The indictment further 

alleges that the conspirators defrauded thousands of victims throughout the United States 

of more than $7 million. 

April 6, 2023: Indictment.

April 6, 2023: Charlotte Man Indicted for International Multi-Million Dollar Tech 

Support Fraud Scam

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdnc/pr/charlotte-man-indicted-international-multi-milliondollar-tech-support-fraud-scam

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Western 

District of North 

Carolina

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Ashish Bajaj

Criminal Case Indian national Ashish Bajaj was sentenced today to 33 months in prison for his role in an 

international conspiracy. The scheme involved calling victims across the United States 

and impersonating fraud prevention specialists from various banks, online retailers, and 

online payment companies. They contacted victims and falsely claimed that they were 

fraud prevention specialists employed by reputable companies and that the victims’ 

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

New Jersey

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
21 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

accounts with banks, online retailers, or online payments companies were being targeted 

for fraud. Bajaj and his conspirators then falsely told the victims that their fraud 

prevention efforts required the victims’ assistance in a sting operation to catch the 

perpetrators.

April 6, 2023: Sentencing.

April 6, 2023: Foreign National Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison for Participating in 

an International Scheme to Defraud Elderly Victims

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/foreign-national-sentenced-33-months-prisonparticipating-international-scheme-defraud

United States v. 

O’Hanlon, et al.

Criminal Case Seven people have been charged for their participation in a telemarketing scheme to 

defraud timeshare owners. The defendants and additional conspirators engaged in a 

scheme to financially enrich themselves by selling fraudulent services to timeshare 

owners, including offering to rent or buy the owners’ timeshares under false and 

fraudulent pretenses or representations, and offering to recover monies timeshare owners 

had previously paid in connection with other scams. The conspirators obtained lists of 

timeshare owners and their contact information, and cold-called them to pitch their 

various services in return for upfront fees. The conspirators made numerous false and 

misleading statements to the timeshare owners. 

April 4, 2023: Indictment.

April 4, 2023: Three People Plead Guilty, Four More Charged with Conspiracy to 

Commit Wire Fraud in Connection with Telemarketing Scheme Targeting Timeshare 

Owners over the Age of 55

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/three-people-plead-guilty-four-more-chargedconspiracy-commit-wire-fraud-connection

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

New Jersey

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

$39,760 in Funds 

from JP Morgan 

Chase Bank 

Accounts, et al.

Civil Lawsuit The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan filed a civil forfeiture 

and return of over $79,000 that was stolen from an individual victimized by a “debt 

elimination services” scam. According to allegations contained in the civil forfeiture 

complaint, fraudsters contacted the victim by phone, offering a debt elimination service, 

which was a scam. Throughout the scam, the victim made upfront “fee payments” that 

totaled $79,760, while the victim’s underlying debt was never paid off. Following an 

investigation, these fraud proceeds were seized by the FBI from various bank accounts, 

forfeited to the United States, and ultimately returned to the victim.

April 3, 2023: Assets forfeited.

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Western 

District of 

Michigan

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
22 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

April 3, 2023: Money from Debt Elimination Services Fraud Scheme Successfully 

Forfeited and Returned to Victim

https://www.justice.gov/usaowdmi/pr/2023_0403_Civil_Forfeiture_Money_Returned_To_Victim 

United States v. 

Gaurang Contractor

Criminal Case Guarang Contractor, an Indian citizen living in New Jersey, was sentenced for a year and 

a day in prison for his role in a conspiracy which resulted in a Massachusetts victim 

converting her bank account funds into gold, because she was tricked into believing that

her accounts had been compromised by purported drug traffickers. A man posing as an 

agent for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration called the victim and said that her 

bank accounts had been “compromised” by drug dealers. She was directed to purchase

gold and leave it in an unlocked vehicle so a “court officer” could pick up the gold for 

safekeeping. Contractor’s role was to pick up the gold. 

May 24, 2023: Sentencing.

May 24, 2023: New Jersey Man Sentenced for Conspiring with Someone Posing as DEA 

Agent to Defraud Victim of Gold

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/new-jersey-man-sentenced-conspiring-someoneposing-dea-agent-defraud-victim-gold 

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

Massachusetts

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Kunhua Jia, et al.

Criminal Case Two individuals were charged for their roles in facilitating phone and email scams, 

including where victims were contacted via phone and told that they were speaking with a 

government agent and that they needed to wire money to a secure account to resolve a 

criminal case. Defendants opened bank accounts in fake names using counterfeit 

passports. Defendants received the proceeds of government imposter scams and withdrew 

the money in cash. 

March 3, 2023: Charges filed.

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Central 

District of 

California

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Chaohui Chen, et al.

Criminal Case Two individuals were sentenced after pleading guilty to their participation in a wire fraud 

scheme where victims were deceived into purchasing prepaid gift cards and providing that 

information to the defendants for their own personal gain. A typical execution of the 

scheme involved unnamed third parties who would make false and fraudulent telephone 

calls, sometimes claiming to the victims they were part of the Social Security 

Administration. The callers would convince victims to purchase prepaid gift cards and 

provide to them the 16-digit gift card numbers and unique pins for the gift cards, in return 

for a cashier’s check in the amount of the gift card purchased. Chen and Zheng would 

redeem the gift cards at various stores by purchasing household items and additional 

prepaid gift cards.

March 20, 2023: Sentencing.

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

Utah

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
23 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

March 20, 2023: Defendants Sentenced in a $217,200 Gift Card Conspiracy and Wire 

Fraud Scheme That Cheated Victims, Including the Elderly, Out of Thousands of Dollars

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ut/pr/defendants-sentenced-217200-gift-card-conspiracyand-wire-fraud-scheme-cheated-victims

United States v. 

Anirudha Kalkote, et 

al.

Criminal Case Anirudha Kalkote pled guilty for conspiracy to commit mail fraud. He participated in a 

fraud ring that contacted victims by phone or via internet sites that directed victims to call 

a particular phone number. Once victims contacted the fraudsters, they were told various

stories such as they were communicating with an expert that needed remote access to their 

computer in order to provide technical support services. The fraudsters then gained access 

to victims’ personal data and bank and credit card information. Victims typically paid a 

fee to conspirators for the fake technical support but were later told they were due a 

refund. Through paying for “technical support” or through the “refund” process, the ring 

gained access to the victim’s bank account(s) and credit cards and manipulated the 

accounts to make it appear the victim was paid too large a refund due to a typographical 

error. Four others have already pleaded guilty in relation to the scheme and are awaiting 

sentencing.

March 20, 2023: Guilty plea.

March 20, 2023: Last Individual Admits Role in Nationwide Fraud Scheme Targeting 

Elderly Victims

 

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/last-individual-admits-role-nationwide-fraudscheme-targeting-elderly-victims 

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Southern 

District of Texas

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Kamal Zafar, et al.

Criminal Case Kamal Zafar was sentenced to 41 months in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud in 

connection with a fraudulent scheme directed at thousands of individuals in the United 

States. The scheme called victims in the United States and falsely claimed to be 

employees of the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration or the 

Drug Enforcement Administration advising the victims that they owed the government 

money. Zafar recruited individuals to open bank accounts in the names of inactive and 

shell corporations and assisted in the laundering of fraud proceeds. After the victims 

wired payments to bank accounts that Zafar had opened or directed to be opened to 

receive the fraud proceeds, the funds were either withdrawn and laundered through 

additional bank accounts or wired to foreign countries. Zafar’s six co-conspirators 

previously pleaded guilty. 

March 15, 2023: Sentencing.

March 15, 2023: Manager of Transnational Fraud Scheme Sentenced to 41 Months in 

Prison

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Eastern 

District of New 

York

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
24 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/manager-transnational-fraud-scheme-sentenced-41-

months-prison

United States v. 

William Perez

Criminal Case William Perez was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit 

money laundering. India-based conspirators falsely and fraudulently identified 

themselves as federal law enforcement officers, such as Social Security Administration 

officials, FBI agents, or IRS officers, provided “official” titles and/or “badge numbers,” 

and threatened their victims with imminent arrest, a lawsuit, and/or other economic 

consequences, usually based on alleged drug trafficking or money laundering crimes 

supposedly committed using the victims’ identities. The conspirators told victims, the 

majority of whom were older adults, that they could avoid these consequences by mailing 

checks or cash equivalents to conspirators in the United States. Perez laundered money 

that had been extorted from United States residents by conspirators residing in the United 

States and overseas. Perez received payments directly from victims, typically via 

packages sent via a commercial carrier. Once he retrieved the fraud proceeds, Perez 

provided them to his coconspirators and was paid for conducting the transactions.

March 6, 2023: Sentencing.

March 6, 2023: Tampa Man Sentenced for Money Laundering Conspiracy Relating to 

Government Impersonator Scam

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/tampa-man-sentenced-money-launderingconspiracy-relating-government-impersonator-scam

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Middle 

District of Florida

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Kenneth Breyer, et al.

Criminal Case Two individuals were charged for their roles in a lottery fraud scheme. As part of the 

scheme, victims received phone calls telling them falsely that they had won a prize, but 

needed to prepay taxes and fees to claim it. Defendants received and forwarded victim 

funds.

March 23, 2023: Indictment.

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

Nebraska

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Lavonne Kemp, et al.

Criminal Case Lavonne Kemp was charged with participating in a fraud scheme targeting home 

computer users across the United States. People became victims of the scam when they 

were deceived by an email message falsely claiming that a bank withdrawal had been 

made from their bank account to allegedly pay for the installation of computer security 

software. The message invited anyone disagreeing with the charge to call a “customer 

service” number. Those who called this number spoke with a person who agreed to 

immediately reverse the “charge.” During this refund process, the “customer service” coconspirator indicated that he had mistakenly deposited thousands of dollars into the 

victim’s account because of a keystroke error. The victim was then induced to rectify this 

“error” by mailing cash to Kemp’s address. Between January 2021 and September 2022, 

Kemp allegedly received approximately $3,500,000 traceable to this fraudulent scheme.

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Western 

District of 

Michigan

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
25 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

March 3, 2023: Indictment.

March 3, 2023: Battle Creek Woman Charged in $3,500,000 Computer Scam

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmi/pr/2023_0303_Kemp

United States v. Bryan 

Valdez-Espinosa, et 

al.

Criminal Case Three men have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a “grandparent scam” 

conspiracy that defrauded more than a dozen Rhode Island seniors. The seniors were 

called by members of the conspiracy who impersonated family members or attorneys, 

claiming that a family member had been arrested and was in immediate need of cash for 

bail payments. The victims were directed to gather cash for these fake bail payments and 

to provide the money to a courier who would be sent to their home. Alarcon was 

sentenced to 30 months of incarceration. Valdez-Espinosa was to 30 months of 

incarceration. Jason Hatcher was sentenced to 33 months of incarceration.

November 21, 2022: Sentencing (Hatcher). 

February 13, 2023: Sentencing (Valdez-Espinosa). 

February 24, 2023: Sentencing (Alarcon). 

February 27, 2023: Three Sentenced in “Grandparent Scam” Conspiracy That 

Defrauded Rhode Island Seniors

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/pr/three-sentenced-grandparent-scam-conspiracydefrauded-rhode-island-seniors

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

Rhode Island

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Michael Jones, et al.

Criminal Case Michael Jones was sentenced to 78 months in prison for defrauding hundreds of small 

business owners. Jones and his co-defendants convinced more than 2,100 small business 

owners to pay nearly $12 million for what Jones and his co-defendants described as 

advance fees to fund expenses to apply for supposed government, private and charitable 

grants for the victims’ businesses. Following a script, Jones and others would falsely tell 

the victims that government, private and charitable organizations would provide grants to 

them regardless of the type of business they operated, but the victim first needed to pay 

thousands of dollars in fees to access those grants. Jones and his co-defendants induced 

the small business owners to give them money in exchange for services that were never 

provided.

February 22, 2023: Sentencing.

February 22, 2023: Las Vegas Man Sentenced to Prison for $12 Million Advance Fee 

Telemarketing Scheme Targeting Small Business Owners

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

Nevada

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
26 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/las-vegas-man-sentenced-prison-12-million-advancefee-telemarketing-scheme-targeting 

United States v. 

Adrian Lawrence

Criminal Case Jamaican citizen Adrian Lawrence was indicted for conspiracy to commit mail and wire 

fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud U.S. citizens. Lawrence and his coconspirators carried out a scheme via telephone and email to defraud United States 

citizens by falsely telling them that they had won certain sweepstakes contests that were 

sponsored by Publishers Clearing House, federal agencies such as the Federal Trade 

Commission, and other entities. Lawrence also told the victims that to facilitate the 

release of their sweepstakes prizes, they first needed to wire-transfer money to various 

bank accounts. Lawrence knew that the victims owed no fees and had won no 

sweepstakes prizes. 

February 10, 2023: Extradition.

February 10, 2023: Jamaican Citizen Indicted for Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme 

Extradited to the United States

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/jamaican-citizen-indicted-multi-million-dollarfraud-scheme-extradited-united-states

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Eastern 

District of New 

York

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. Alrick 

Anthony Gardner

Criminal Case Alrick Anthony Gardner was charged with fraud offenses stemming from his alleged 

participation in a sweepstakes scam that defrauded victims across the country of millions 

of dollars. Scammers notified victims, primarily by telephone, that they won a Publishers 

Clearing House sweepstakes. The victims were told that to collect their winnings, they 

must pay fees and taxes. Following the initial phone call, Gardner sometimes mailed the 

victims fake documents, including a “winning notification” letter from Publishers 

Clearing House and a letter from the Internal Revenue Service stating that the victims 

were required by law to pay taxes on their winnings. 

February 10, 2023: Indictment.

February 10, 2023: New Britain Man Indicted for Scheme Targeting Elderly Victims

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/new-britain-man-indicted-scheme-targeting-elderlyvictims

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

Connecticut

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. Ejiro 

Efevwerha, et al.

Criminal Case Ejiro Efevwerha, a dual Nigerian and Canadian citizen, was sentenced to 87 months’ 

imprisonment for his role in a conspiracy to commit fraud. The conspiracy used a 

network of individuals in the U.S. to receive victim money in U.S. bank accounts, often 

opened under fraudulent names, and transferred those funds to co-conspirators inside and 

outside of the U.S. Among the schemes were grandparent scams, where victims were 

called and told their grandchild was in jeopardy. Co-defendant Ochuko Sylvester Eruotor 

was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison. The other seven co-defendants sentenced 

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Western 

District of Texas

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
27 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

received a combined 446 months in prison and were ordered to pay restitution. 

February 9, 2023: Sentencing.

February 9, 2023: Ninth Defendant Sentenced in Case Against Organized Fraud, Money 

Laundering Schemes

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/ninth-defendant-sentenced-case-against-organizedfraud-money-laundering-schemes

United States v. 

Darlens Renard, et al.

Criminal Case Five defendants have been convicted and sentenced to prison for their roles in a 

nationwide fraud scheme that targeted senior citizens. Co-conspirators placed phone calls 

to seniors claiming that their grandchild or other relative had an urgent legal or medical 

problem and needed money immediately. The caller, who often claimed to be an attorney, 

police officer, or other authority figure, told the victim to send an overnight delivery of 

cash to the address the defendants provided. The defendants’ role in the scheme was to 

retrieve, transport, and launder the money the victims were induced to send. The imposed 

sentences ranged from 36 months in prison to 97 months in prison. 

February 9, 2023: Sentencing.

February 9, 2023: Five Defendants Sentenced to Federal Prison for Perpetrating 

Nationwide “Grandparent Scam” Fraud Against Over 68 Victims

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/five-defendants-sentenced-federal-prisonperpetrating-nationwide-grandparent-scam 

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Southern 

District of Indiana

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. Roger 

Ralston, et al.

Criminal Case Roger Ralston, the CEO of DirectView Holdings, Inc. (“DirectView”), a Florida-based 

video surveillance and security company, was sentenced to five years in prison for 

defrauding victims in connection with an international telemarketing scheme. Ralston and 

his co-conspirators used the services of telemarketing call centers to identify and cold-call 

potential victims, who were primarily elderly or retired individuals residing in the United 

Kingdom. Over a series of telephone calls, the telemarketers persuaded victims to invest 

money under various false and misleading pretenses. In reliance on the false 

representations and promises, the victims wired funds to various bank accounts in the 

United States in the names of corporate entities controlled by Ralston. The victims never 

received a refund on their principal or any return on their investments. Two codefendants were previously sentenced.

February 7, 2023: Sentencing.

February 7, 2023: CEO of Security Company Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for 

International Boiler Room Fraud Scheme

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Southern 

District of New 

York

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
28 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/ceo-security-company-sentenced-five-years-prisoninternational-boiler-room-fraud-scheme

United States v. 

Ronnell Taylor, et al.

Criminal Case Three individuals were charged related to government impersonation scam. Michael 

Galanis was sentenced in federal court to 12 months of imprisonment for conspiring to 

commit wire fraud. Ronnell Taylor pled guilty. 

Defendants participated in an IRS impersonation conspiracy involving call centers located 

in India that would use phone numbers to make their calls appear to originate in the 

United States. The calls would provide recorded information to individuals in the United 

States and fraudulently claim that the call was from the IRS concerning the individual’s 

failure to pay taxes. The call would provide a U.S.-based telephone number for the 

individual to call in order to resolve the matter. Calls to these U.S.-based telephone 

numbers would be automatically forwarded to call centers in India, and those who 

answered would tell callers that they owed money to the IRS and demand immediate 

payment via gift card or other means. 

September 16, 2022: Guilty Plea (Taylor). 

September 16, 2023: Jeannette Man Pleads Guilty in IRS Impersonation Fraud Scheme

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/jeannette-man-pleads-guilty-irs-impersonationfraud-scheme

February 6, 2023: Sentencing (Galanis). 

February 6, 2023: Jeannette Man Sentenced to Prison for Role in Elder Fraud Scheme

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/jeannette-man-sentenced-prison-role-elder-fraudscheme

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Western 

District of 

Pennsylvania

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. Rojay

Lawson

Criminal Case Two Jamaican nationals – Rojay Lawson and Theresa Lawson – were each sentenced to 

more than five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to their roles in a fraudulent 

lottery scam. As part of the scheme, conspirators called elderly victims and falsely told 

victims that they had won a sweepstakes. The defendants and their co-conspirators would 

tell the victims that they needed to pay bogus fees and/or taxes in order to collect their 

purported winnings. 

The defendants and their co-conspirators would direct the victims where to send the bogus 

fees and/or taxes. Evidence showed victims purchased prepaid cards, USPS money 

orders, or bank money orders; mailed cash or personal checks; or made wire deposits into 

the defendants’ bank accounts. The defendants in turn wired the fraudulent funds to coconspirators in Jamaica. 

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

South Carolina

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
29 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

February 2, 2023: Sentencing.

February 2, 2023: Jamaican Nationals Sentenced to Federal Prison for Their Roles in 

Lottery Scam Targeting Elderly Victims

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/jamaican-nationals-sentenced-federal-prison-theirroles-lottery-scam-targeting-elderly-0

United States v. 

Contents of Binance 

Account

Civil Lawsuit An investigation of a fraud scheme has resulted in the forfeiture of approximately 151 

Bitcoins, as well as other digital assets. In October 2020, overseas individuals began 

targeting vulnerable victims, including first generation U.S. citizens and elderly persons, 

through phone calls by pretending to be members of U.S. law enforcement agencies and 

telling the victims that their identity had been compromised. The overseas individuals 

used computer programs to make it appear as if their phone calls were coming from 

legitimate government sources. After gaining the victims’ trust, the overseas individuals 

requested transfers of money for “safekeeping” with the promise that the victims would 

receive their money, plus interest, when the perpetrators of the nonexistent identity fraud 

were captured. Once the overseas individuals had access to the victims’ money, they 

moved the money through multiple bank accounts and converted the money to digital 

currency in the form of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. 

January 20, 2023: Assets forfeited.

January 20, 2023: Phone Scam Investigation Results in Forfeiture of Nearly $3 Million 

in Cryptocurrency

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/phone-scam-investigation-results-forfeiture-nearly-3-

million-cryptocurrency 

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

Connecticut

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. Dhruv 

Jani, et al.

Criminal Case The defendants were part of a conspiracy to launder funds obtained from a government 

official impersonation scheme. Victims were contacted by telephone and coerced into 

believing they were under investigation by “agents” of federal law enforcement agencies 

(the FBI, SSA, DHS, Treasury, or DEA). The conspirators told these victims that their 

identities had been connected to a criminal incident, their imminent arrest and/or 

deportation from the United States had been ordered by law enforcement, and that the

only way to avoid arrest and or deportation was to pay large sums of money. The victims 

were instructed to withdraw cash from their bank accounts and mail the cash to various 

addresses. Witte’s role in the scheme was to use fake identification cards provided to him 

by a conspirator to pick up victims’ packages of cash mailed. He used some of the cash to 

purchase money orders, which one of his codefendants then deposited into third-party 

accounts. Two defendants have been sentenced to, one to 26 months and one to 28 

months in prison, and a third has pled guilty

January 20, 2023: Sentencing (Witte).

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

Colorado

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
30 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

January 20, 2023: Colorado Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role in Money 

Laundering Conspiracy

https://www.justice.gov/usao-co/pr/colorado-man-sentenced-federal-prison-role-moneylaundering-conspiracy 

February 23, 2023: Sentencing (Henderson).

February 24, 2023: Colorado Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role in Money 

Laundering Conspiracy

https://www.justice.gov/usao-co/pr/colorado-man-sentenced-federal-prison-role-moneylaundering-conspiracy-0 

April 18, 2023: Guilty plea (Jani).

April 18, 2023: Indian National Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Conspiracy Based 

in Wray, Colorado

https://www.justice.gov/usao-co/pr/indian-national-pleads-guilty-money-launderingconspiracy-based-wray-colorado 

United States v. 

Medard Ulysse

Criminal Case Medard Ulysse was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for wire fraud and 

conspiracy to commit mail fraud in relation to multiple fraud schemes, including a 

“grandparent” scam and a COVID-19 CARES Act fraud related to unemployment 

benefits. Conspirators called the victims pretending to be the victim’s grandchild or other 

troubled relative to convince the victims to send cash. The victims were directed to send 

cash to residential addresses that were either vacant or for sale. Ulysse distributed, and 

directed co-conspirators to distribute, cash payments to other members of the conspiracy 

for their participation in the scheme. 

January 19, 2023: Sentencing.

January 19, 2023: Serial Fraudster Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison for 

Participating in Elder Fraud “Grandparent” Scheme and a COVID-19 CARES Act 

Unemployment Benefit Scheme

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/serial-fraudster-sentenced-nine-years-federal-prisonparticipating-elder-fraud

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

Maryland

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
31 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

United States v. 

Jennifer Shah

Criminal Case Jennifer Shah was sentenced today to 78 months in prison for running a nationwide 

telemarketing fraud scheme. Shah was an integral leader of a wide-ranging, nationwide 

telemarketing fraud scheme that victimized thousands of innocent people. The scheme 

principally involved selling those victims so-called “business services” in connection with 

the victims’ purported online businesses. In particular, Shah knowingly and intentionally 

facilitated the sale of “leads” — contact information for potential victims who had been 

identified as susceptible to the scheme’s lies — to sales floors that were perpetrating the 

scheme and, during the latter portion of her participation in the scheme, owned and 

operated one of the sales floors that was part of the scheme. 

January 6, 2023: Sentencing.

January 6, 2023: Reality Show Cast Member Jennifer Shah Sentenced to 78 Months in 

Prison for Running Nationwide Telemarketing Fraud Scheme

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/reality-show-cast-member-jennifer-shah-sentenced78-months-prison-running-nationwide

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Southern 

District of New 

York

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Jeffrey Chartier, et al.

Criminal Case Two former registered brokers who participated in a criminal conspiracy to promote and 

manipulate the price of shares in publicly traded companies were sentenced to five years 

and ten years imprisonment. The scheme used a boiler room in its illegal cold call 

campaigns that used lies and high-pressure sales tactics to lure victims, by, among other 

things, transferring money and stock required by the boiler room for the campaigns; 

working with the boiler room to fill the duped victims’ orders with crooked investors’ 

stock; and creating fraudulent stock purchase agreements, consulting agreements and 

invoices to cover up the illegal conduct. A third defendant has pled guilty.

August 1, 2022: “Boiler Room” Operator Pleads Guilty to International Securities 

Fraud Conspiracy

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/boiler-room-operator-pleads-guilty-internationalsecurities-fraud-conspiracy

December 1, 2022: Sentencing (Chartier). 

December 1, 2022: Corporate Insider Sentenced to 10 Years’ Imprisonment for 

Conspiring with Long Island Boiler Room to Pump and Dump Stock on Unsuspecting 

Elderly Investors

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/corporate-insider-sentenced-10-yearsimprisonment-conspiring-long-island-boiler-room 

January 6, 2023: Sentencing (Isen). 

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Eastern 

District of New 

York

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
32 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

January 6, 2023: Former Registered Broker Sentenced to 5 Years’ Imprisonment for 

Conspiring with Long Island Boiler Room to Pump and Dump Stock on Unsuspecting 

Elderly Investors

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/former-registered-broker-sentenced-5-yearsimprisonment-conspiring-long-island-boiler 

United States v. Moin 

Idrishbhai Pinjara, et 

al.

Criminal Case Moin Idrishbhai Pinjara received a 29-month sentence following his conviction for 

conspiracy. Pinjara was a “runner” in an Indian-based call center scam. Callers in India 

would contact potential victims in the United States to extort money from them. One 

common script used in the schemes involved coercing victims into believing federal 

agents were investigating them. Pinjara would then use aliases and fake identification 

documents to pick up parcels containing cash which the victims had mailed. Three other 

runners had been sentenced for their involvement in the same conspiracy.

January 4, 2023: Sentencing.

January 4, 2023: Fourth Sentenced in Government Impersonation Call Center Scam

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/fourth-sentenced-government-impersonation-callcenter-scam

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Southern 

District of Texas

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Gagan Lamba, et al.

United States v. 

Meghna Kumar

Criminal Case Six defendants have been charged for their roles in a criminal fraud ring that operated a 

technical support fraud scheme in the United States, India, and Canada. The fraud ring 

caused fraudulent pop-up windows to appear on victims’ personal computers that made it 

appear the device was at risk and the consumer needed to call the listed phone number. 

Upon reaching the call center, victims were instructed to pay the fraud ring in amounts 

ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. The fraud ring often called certain victims 

again to offer additional services or lengthier service agreements that required victims to 

pay even more money to the fraud ring.

December 14, 2022: Kumar guilty plea.

December 16, 2022: Indictment.

December 16, 2022: Six Individuals Charged in Multimillion-Dollar Transnational Tech 

Support Scam Targeting Tens of Thousands of U.S. Victims 

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/six-individuals-charged-multimillion-dollartransnational-tech-support-scam-targeting 

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

New Jersey

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
33 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

United States v. 

Russel Jason Rahm, 

et al.

Criminal Cases The District of Minnesota charged approximately 60 individuals in seven cases in 2020 

and 2021 related to a telemarketing scam that swindled consumers out of more than $300 

million. The defendants carried out their telemarketing fraud scheme by calling victimconsumers who had one or more existing magazine subscriptions and offering to reduce 

the cost of an existing magazine subscription. The defendants were lying. In reality, they 

were not calling from the victim-consumers’ magazine companies, and they were not 

calling to reduce the cost of an existing subscription. Instead, the defendants were 

tricking the victims into signing up for entirely new magazine subscriptions, which they 

did not want and often could not afford. This resulted in many victims being billed by 

several—even dozens—of magazine companies every month. 

In the last year, eight defendants have pled guilty, including Russel Jason Rahm who was 

the owner and CEO of several companies involved in the fraudulent scheme, as well as 

Rhonda Jean Moulder of Florida who worked as a manager for Florida-based companies 

involved in fraudulent magazine sales. Her role as a manager was to manage 

telemarketing call centers and oversee the fraud on a day-to-day basis as well as respond 

to BBB complaints from victims. 

Guilty Pleas: August 24, 2022; January 13, 2023; 

January 13, 2023; January 6, 2023; December 27, 2022; October 14, 2022; August 23, 

2022; December 21, 2022. 

October 14, 2022: Florida Woman Pleads Guilty to $86 Million Magazine Fraud 

Scheme Targeting Elders

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/florida-woman-pleads-guilty-86-million-magazinefraud-scheme-targeting-elders

December 8, 2022: Kansas City Man Pleads Guilty for His Part in a Nationwide 

Telemarking Fraud Scheme

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/kansas-city-man-pleads-guilty-his-part-nationwidetelemarking-fraud-scheme 

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

Minnesota

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. Taras 

Semuso

Criminal Case Taras Semuso was charged in a one-count indictment with acting as a money courier for 

scammers who stole more than $200,000 from a victim. From June 2022 to August 2022, 

the victim was contacted by phone by a member of the conspiracy claiming to be a 

government agent and that the victim’s bank accounts had been compromised. It is 

alleged that the conspirator then informed the victim that they were required to provide 

United States currency to an undercover agent, later identified as the defendant, to keep 

the victim’s bank account funds safe. The victim and the defendant then met on several 

occasions in which the victim provided the defendant with more than $200,000 in cash. 

November 30, 2022: Indictment.

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Northern 

District of Ohio

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
34 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

December 1, 2022: Ukrainian National Charged with Acting as Courier in Scheme That 

Stole More Than $200k from Victim

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndoh/pr/ukrainian-national-charged-acting-courier-schemestole-more-200k-victim

United States v. 

Rachael Maia 

Winslow

Criminal Case A federal jury has found Rachael Maia Winslow guilty of conspiracy to commit money 

laundering. Winslow was a member of an international conspiracy to launder funds 

generated via boiler room fraud. The boiler rooms sold foreign victims what they were 

led to believe were legitimate investments, such as shares or stock in reputable companies 

such as Facebook, Chesapeake Energy, or Toys R Us. In fact, the investments were 

worthless, and the boiler rooms defrauded victims of over $14 million dollars, at least

$4.7 million of which passed through accounts controlled by Winslow. 

November 22, 2022: Conviction.

November 22, 2022: Georgia Woman Convicted for Role in International Conspiracy to 

Launder Proceeds of “Boiler Room” Fraud

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/georgia-woman-convicted-role-internationalconspiracy-launder-proceeds-boiler-room

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Middle 

District of Florida

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Sagarkumar Suresh 

Patel

Criminal Case Sagarkumar Suresh Patel was sentenced to 36 months in prison for multiple counts of 

mail fraud and mail fraud conspiracy. Co-conspirators would call victims and identify 

themselves as law enforcement officers or attorneys working with the federal government. 

They would threaten victims by falsely informing them they had active warrants for their 

arrest, and that their bank accounts and social security numbers had been compromised. 

Co-conspirators would tell the victims that to avoid losing money from their bank 

accounts they needed to withdraw large sums of cash from their bank. The victims were 

told to insert the cash between the pages of several reading magazines and then place each 

magazine in a bubble-wrapped envelope before placing the wrapped magazines in a 

cardboard box. Victims mailed packages to Walgreens and other mail depositories to 

aliases used by Patel.

November 21, 2022: Sentencing.

November 21, 2022: Pennsylvania Man Who Received More Than $1 Million Via Mail 

Through Government Imposter Scheme Sentenced to Prison

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh/pr/pennsylvania-man-who-received-more-1-millionmail-through-government-imposter-scheme

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Southern 

District of Ohio

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
35 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

United States v. 

Waseem Maknojiya

Criminal Case Waseem Maknojiya was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for conspiracy to 

commit mail fraud. Maknojiya was involved in a telemarketing scheme where Indian call 

centers extorted money from victims in the United States. One common script used in the 

scheme involved coercing victims into believing federal agents were investigating them. 

The “agent” on the phone would convince the victim the only way to clear his or her name 

from investigation was to send cash in a parcel shipped through FedEx to a name and 

address they provided. Runners in the United States like Maknojiya would then pick up 

the parcels. 

November 8, 2022: Sentencing.

November 8, 2022: Indian National Sentenced for Government Impersonation Call 

Center Scam

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/indian-national-sentenced-governmentimpersonation-call-center-scam

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Southern 

District of Texas

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Michael Odell 

Anderson

Criminal Case Michael Odell Anderson pleaded guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy to commit wire 

fraud. Specifically, members of the conspiracy called victims posing as a police officer, 

lawyer, or relative and convinced victims to send money for the purported legal expenses 

of a loved one, generally a grandchild, who had been incarcerated in connection with a car 

accident or traffic stop involving a crime. 

November 7, 2022: Guilty plea.

November 7, 2022: Fraudster Pleads Guilty to Participating in an $800,000 Elder 

Fraud Scam

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/fraudster-pleads-guilty-participating-800000-elderfraud-scam

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

Maryland

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. Rishi 

Budhadey

Criminal Case Rishi Budhadev pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Budhadev admitted 

believing that the funds being transmitted to him had very likely been obtained through 

fraud. The government found that Budhadev received around 500 MoneyGram money 

orders worth over $500,000 from more than 250 senders that he picked up from seven 

different Walmart stores. Fifty people who sent funds to Budhadev subsequently 

identified themselves as victims of various scams, including some that involved phone 

calls, including investment scams, romance scams, person-in-need scams, internet 

purchase scams, IRS tax scams, and loan scams. 

October 19, 2022: Guilty plea.

October 19, 2022: Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Middle 

District of 

Pennsylvania

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
36 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/virginia-man-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-commitwire-fraud

United States v. 

Amirsinh Diwan, et 

al.

Criminal Case Amirsinh Diwan, Zaheen Rafikbhai Malvi, and Sohil Usmangani have been charged for 

their roles in a multi-year fraud and money laundering conspiracy involving call centers. 

The indictment alleges that the individuals and other co-conspirators engaged in a 

criminal fraud conspiracy originating from call centers located in India. The callers 

impersonated U.S. government officials and tricked victims into sending them money to 

safeguard their assets, avoid arrest or prevent their government benefits from being cut 

off, according to the charges. Victims allegedly sent money in the form of gift cards by 

providing redemption codes over the phone and mailed cash in packages sent to FedEx 

and UPS pick-up locations. The indictment alleges co-conspirators, known as runners, 

liquidated victims’ gift cards at retail locations in the United States or used fake 

identification documents to pick up their packages containing cash at Walgreens locations. 

Malvi entered a guilty plea.

October 11, 2022: Indictment.

October 11, 2022: Out of State Group Charged in $11M Indian Call Center Fraud Ring

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/out-state-group-charged-11m-indian-call-centerfraud-ring 

May 15, 2023: Guilty plea.

May 15, 2023: Manager Admits to Key Role in Indian Call Center Scam

 

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/manager-admits-key-role-indian-call-center-scam 

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Southern 

District of Texas

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. Yao 

Lin

United States v. Wen 

Xue Lin

Criminal Case Yao Lin and Wen Xue Lin each pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges resulting 

from separate investigations into gift card schemes involving hundreds of fraud victims 

from across the country. Wen Lin told agents that he would receive a gift card number 

from sources in China through an app on his smart phone. Once the gift card number was 

loaded onto his phone, Wen Lin would go to a Walmart and purchase other kinds of gift 

cards and send those gift cards back to China. The scams varied to include threats of 

arrest, finance schemes, and romance scams.

September 30, 2022: Guilty pleas.

September 30, 2022: Two Defendants Plead Guilty Resulting from Separate 

Investigations into Complex Wal-Mart Gift Card Schemes Involving Hundreds of Fraud 

Victims

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Middle 

District of 

Georgia

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
37 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdga/pr/two-defendants-plead-guilty-resulting-separateinvestigations-complex-wal-mart-gift 

United States v. 

Adedayo Akinwunmi 

Agbayewa

Criminal Case Adedayo Akinwunmi Agbayewa was sentenced to five years in prison for a mail fraud 

and money laundering conspiracy. Agbayewa and his coconspirators were involved in a 

lottery or sweepstakes telemarketing scheme. The conspirators used false names and 

falsely notified the victims by mail or telephone that they had won a sweepstakes or 

lottery. The victims were told that they had to pay taxes or fees before they could receive 

their winnings. The victims mailed checks or deposited money into bank accounts as

directed by the individuals involved in the scheme. However, the victims never received 

any prize money; in fact, no lottery or sweepstakes ever existed.

September 26, 2022: Sentencing.

September 26, 2022: Georgia Resident Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for International 

Lottery Fraud Scheme That Victimized Elderly People in California and Elsewhere

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/georgia-resident-sentenced-5-years-prisoninternational-lottery-fraud-scheme-victimized

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Eastern 

District of 

California

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. David 

Odean McIntosh

Criminal Case David Odean McIntosh of Jamaica was sentenced to 160 months in prison. McIntosh was 

one of the leaders of an international fraud ring that targeted thousands of victims around 

the United States. Jamaican-based scammers and others called victims in the United 

States, claiming the victims had won a lottery or other prize. To receive their winnings, 

the victims were told that they must first pay money for taxes and fees. The fraudsters 

provided some victims with phony letters claiming to be from the IRS that threatened to 

seize their assets if they failed to pay. McIntosh’s role in this scheme was to distribute 

“lead lists,” which contained the names and personal information of thousands of 

individuals for the scammers to contact and lure into the scheme. 

August 16, 2023: Sentencing.

August 19, 2023: Man Sentenced to 160 Months for Role in International Lottery Fraud 

Scheme Targeting Elderly Victims

https://www.justice.gov/usao-az/pr/man-sentenced-160-months-role-international-lotteryfraud-scheme-targeting-elderly

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

Arizona

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Farouq Fasasi, et al.

Criminal Case Three defendants were sentenced for their roles in lottery and romance scams. In the 

lottery scam, scammers notify victims by telephone, through online communications, or 

by mail, that they have won the lottery. The victims are then told that in order to collect 

the prize they must pay fees for things like taxes, shipping and processing. Often, once a 

victim sends a small amount of money, a scammer will ask for larger sums of money with 

a promise of more winnings. The victims never receive winnings. 

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

Connecticut

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
38 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

August 3, 2022: Sentencing (Pierre). 

August 3, 2022: Bridgeport Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Role in Lottery 

and Romance Fraud Schemes

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/bridgeport-man-sentenced-30-months-prison-rolelottery-and-romance-fraud-schemes

August 8, 2022: Sentencing (Fasasi). 

August 8, 2022: Leader of Lottery and Romance Fraud Scheme Sentenced to 14 Years in 

Federal Prison

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/leader-lottery-and-romance-fraud-scheme-sentenced14-years-federal-prison

August 23, 2022: Sentencing (Thomas). 

August 23, 2022: Lottery and Romance Fraud Scheme Participant Sentenced to 6 Years 

in Federal Prison

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/lottery-and-romance-fraud-scheme-participantsentenced-6-years-federal-prison

United States v. 

Raymond A. Erker

Criminal Case Raymond A. Erker was sentenced to nearly 22 years in prison, or 262 months, following 

his conviction at trial of stealing more than $9.3 million from clients in a Ponzi scheme. 

As part of the scheme, Erker sold investments to clients that he misrepresented as 

annuities and senior secured notes with no risk of loss and with a guaranteed rate of 

return. Court documents state that Erker, without the approval or consent of investors, 

diverted funds to other entities that they controlled and their personal bank accounts. To 

keep up with promised rates of return, Erker falsely represented that payments to previous 

investors were rates of return and interest when, in actuality, these payments were new 

investor funds, the defining characteristic of a Ponzi scheme.

To avoid detection, Erker set up office fronts in Delaware and Nevada, contracted with 

call centers and created false websites and account statements that purported to show 

investor account balances.

August 2, 2022: Sentencing.

August 2, 2022: Former Westlake Investment Advisor Sentenced to Nearly 22 Years in 

Prison for Operating Ponzi Scheme

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Northern 

District of Ohio

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
39 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndoh/pr/former-westlake-investment-advisor-sentencednearly-22-years-prison-operating-ponzi

United States v. 

Ashish Bajaj

Criminal Case Ashish Bajaj was sentenced to 33 months in prison for his role in an international 

conspiracy. Bajaj and his conspirators operated a scheme that involved calling victims 

across the United States and impersonating fraud prevention specialists from various 

banks, online retailers, and online payment companies, claiming that the victims’ accounts 

with banks, online retailers, or online payments companies were being targeted for fraud. 

Bajaj and his conspirators then falsely told the victims that their fraud prevention efforts 

required the victims’ assistance in a sting operation to catch the perpetrators. Bajaj and 

the conspirators asked the victims to send money from their bank accounts to accounts 

controlled by Bajaj and the conspirators and falsely promised to return their money within 

a few days of the purported sting operation. 

April 6, 2023: Sentencing.

April 6, 2023: Foreign National Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison for Participating in 

an International Scheme to Defraud Elderly Victims

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/foreign-national-sentenced-33-months-prisonparticipating-international-scheme-defraud

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

New Jersey

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Hirenkumar P. 

Chaudhari

Criminal Case Hirenkumar P. Chaudhari was sentenced to three years in federal prison for laundering 

cash proceeds from a telemarketing scheme. The scheme involved phone calls from 

people falsely claiming to be associated with, among other agencies, the Social Security 

Administration and U.S. Department of Justice, stating that a victim’s identity had been 

stolen and that it was necessary to transfer money to various bank accounts, including the 

accounts opened by Chaudhari. 

July 29, 2022: Sentencing.

July 29, 2022: Suburban Chicago Man Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison for 

Laundering Proceeds from Telemarketing Scheme That Defrauded Elderly Victims

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/pr/suburban-chicago-man-sentenced-three-yearsfederal-prison-laundering-proceeds

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Northern 

District of Illinois

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
40 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

United States v. Tracy 

Lee Jedlicki

Criminal Case Tracy Lee Jedlicki was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit 

wire fraud. Jedlicki and her coconspirators operated international boiler rooms in Panama 

and elsewhere using high-pressure sales techniques to defraud individuals who believed 

they were investing substantial amounts of money in regulated financial products or 

markets, such as options in commodities and stocks. Jedlicki and her coconspirators then 

laundered fraud proceeds generated by the boiler rooms through several money laundering 

rings, to overseas accounts, with the launderers receiving a percentage of the funds they 

had moved. 

July 22, 2022: Sentencing.

July 22, 2022: Delray Beach Woman Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Her Role in 

International Boiler Room Conspiracy

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/delray-beach-woman-sentenced-30-months-prisonher-role-international-boiler-room

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Middle 

District of Florida

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. Tyrell 

Harris, et al.

Criminal Case Jamaican nationals Tyrell Harris and Errol Durrant were each sentenced to more than five 

years in federal prison after pleading guilty to their roles in a lottery scam. As part of the 

scheme, the defendants or their co-conspirators would contact victims and falsely inform 

the victims that they had won a sweepstakes. The supposed prizes in these sweepstakes 

usually consisted of millions of dollars, a new vehicle, or other valuable items. The 

defendants and their co-conspirators would tell the victims that they needed to pay bogus 

fees and/or taxes in order to collect their purported winnings. The defendants and their 

co-conspirators would direct the elderly victims where to send the bogus fees and/or taxes. 

Victims purchased prepaid cards, USPS money orders, and bank money orders, and 

mailed cash/personal checks to the defendants. Tyrell Harris was sentenced to 90 months 

in federal prison and Errol Durrant to 80 months in federal prison. 

May 30, 2023: Sentencing.

May 30, 2023: Jamaican Nationals Sentenced to Federal Prison for Their Roles in Scam 

Targeting Elderly Victims

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/jamaican-nationals-sentenced-federal-prison-theirroles-scam-targeting-elderly-victims

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

South Carolina

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. Javon 

Jonathan Spencer

Criminal Case Jamaican national Javon Jonathan Spencer was sentenced to 18 months in prison after he 

pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and mail fraud. Spencer was involved 

in a lottery fraud scheme that contacted the targeted individuals via mail or telephone and 

informed the victims that they won a lottery or sweepstakes, such as the Publishers 

Clearinghouse Sweepstakes. However, to claim and receive the money, the victims would 

need to pay upfront fees or taxes.

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Northern 

District of Ohio

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
41 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

May 18, 2023: Sentencing.

May 19, 2023: Jamaican National Sentenced to Prison for Lottery Fraud

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndoh/pr/jamaican-national-sentenced-prison-lottery-fraud

United States v. 

Martins Inalegwu, et 

al.

Criminal Case Martins Inalegwu, Steincy Mathieu, and Nigerian national Moses Chukwuebuka 

Alexander were indicted on April 6, 2023, for various charges of conspiracy to commit 

mail and wire fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, 

money laundering, transacting in criminal proceeds, and tax evasion. Inalegwu, Mathieu, 

Alexander and their conspirators, allegedly participated in a romance scheme. The 

conspirators made initial contact with victims through online dating and social media 

websites, then corresponded with victims via email and phone, pretended to strike up a 

romantic relationship with victims and then requested the victims send money to them, or 

their associates, for fictitious emergency needs. In all instances, the individuals whom the 

victims believed they were speaking to did not exist, and instead they were speaking to the 

conspirators of this scheme. Inalegwu, Mathieu and their conspirators engaged in 

apartment rental scams wherein they advertised the rental of a property, not owned or 

controlled by them, for the purpose of collecting money from the victims in the form of 

application fees and security deposits. After Inalegwu, Mathieu and conspirators 

collected the money, the victims never heard from them again. Conspirators used myriad 

email accounts and phone numbers to communicate with the victims. 

April 6, 2023: Indictment.

April 13, 2023: Four People Indicted for Roles in Romance and Internet Frauds, Illegal 

Money Transmitting

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/four-people-indicted-roles-romance-and-internetfrauds-illegal-money-transmitting

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the District of 

New Jersey

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. Jeel 

Patel

Criminal Case Jeel Patel was sentenced to 51 months in prison for conspiracy to commit mail and wire 

fraud. Patel was part of an international fraud scheme originating from call centers in 

India. These call centers would initially contact victims using automated robocalls 

designed to create a sense of urgency with the recipients. After making initial contact 

with victims, conspirators known as closers would impersonate government officials such 

as FBI or DEA agents. These closers would trick and coerce victims into wiring funds to 

bank accounts controlled by the conspiracy, or shipping parcels of cash to addresses to 

which conspirators had access. Patel retrieved or attempted to retrieve 14 packages from 

10 different victims, with total actual losses of $485,020. Patel also participated in 

repeated home pickups during which he traveled to the residences of two different 80-

year-old victims located in Michigan and South Carolina, and under the guise of being a 

DEA official took the money directly from the victims.

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Eastern 

District of 

Virginia

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
42 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

February 14, 2023: Sentencing.

February 14, 2023: South Carolina Man Sentenced for Role in International Elder 

Fraud Scheme

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/south-carolina-man-sentenced-role-internationalelder-fraud-scheme

United States v. Vikas 

Mehta, et al.

Criminal Case Two defendant pled guilty—including one who was also sentenced to 51 months’ 

imprisonment—for their roles imposter scams. The conspiracy began with either robocall 

recordings purporting to be from a government agency or with emails purporting to be 

from legitimate companies. The robocall recordings and email messages provided 

callback numbers. When individuals called those numbers, they were connected to 

alleged scammers — some of whom were located in India. During these telephone calls, 

the scammer pretended either to work for the United States government or to represent a 

company.

Guilty Pleas: December 7, 2022, and May 15, 2023. 

May 17, 2023: Sentencing.

Unites States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Northern 

District of 

Georgia 

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. Juan 

Carlos Arcena 

Cabrera

Criminal Case Juan Carlos Arcena Cabrera was indicted with conspiracy to commit mail fraud for his 

role in a “grandparent scam” that impacted senior victims around the country. 

“Grandparent scams” involve perpetrators making false claims to victims that their loved 

one is in jeopardy and in need of money that the perpetrator will use to assist the loved 

one. Scam callers would reach out to victims repeatedly, claiming more money was 

needed to cover additional emergency expenses. As part of this conspiracy, Cabrera 

posed as the grandson of a Kentucky victim and attempted to pick up a parcel full of cash 

that the victim had shipped from Kentucky to a FedEx store in New York. 

November 29, 2022: Indictment.

November 29, 2022: Federal Grand Jury in Louisville Indicts New York Man for His 

Role in “Grandparent Scam” Targeting Senior Victims

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdky/pr/federal-grand-jury-louisville-indicts-new-yorkman-his-role-grandparent-scam-targeting

Unites States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Western 

District of 

Kentucky

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. Shelly 

Leipham

Criminal Case Shelly Leipham was sentenced to more than 7 years in prison for committing financial 

fraud. Leipham called a victim living in Harrison County and claimed the victim won one 

million dollars. Leipham defrauded the victim of nearly $25,000 by directing the victim 

to send that amount to her over the course of a two-year period by mail and wire. 

Leipham badgered and manipulated her victims by calling them over and over again. 

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Northern 

District of West 

Virginia

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
43 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

August 30, 2022: Sentencing.

August 30, 2022: Las Vegas Woman Gets 7 Years for Elder Financial Fraud

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/las-vegas-woman-gets-7-years-elder-financialfraud

United States v. Nicole 

Sprague

Criminal Case Nicole Sprague was sentenced to 33 months in prison for conspiracy to commit mail fraud 

and mail fraud. Sprague participated in a tech support scam. The conspirators spoke on 

the phone to victims, falsely represented themselves to be online computer tech support 

personnel to obtain money from victims who believed that they were paying for necessary 

computer repairs or installing computer security software. After the victim agreed to 

make payment to the telemarketer for purported tech support, access to the victim’s 

computer occurred while the victim believed that a legitimate service had been received. 

While conspirators were remotely connected to each victim’s computer, the conspirators 

were able to access each victim’s personal information, including access to the victim’s 

financial accounts. Sprague routinely deposited the victims’ funds into her bank accounts 

before she disbursed and transferred the proceeds to other members of the conspiracy. 

August 22, 2022: Sentencing.

August 22, 2022: Cape Coral Woman Sentenced to More Than Two and a Half Years in 

Prison for Committing Fraud Targeting Elderly Victims

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/cape-coral-woman-sentenced-more-two-and-halfyears-prison-committing-fraud-targeting

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Middle 

District of Florida

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Aakash Kalpesh 

Gandhi

Criminal Case Aakash Kalpesh Gandhi pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and was 

sentenced to 51 months in federal prison. Gandhi and his co-conspirators operated a 

scheme designed to defraud victims throughout the United States. Co-conspirators from 

call centers based in India would target unsuspecting victims claiming that those victims 

would suffer financial ruin or criminal liability if they did not immediately send money to 

correct fictional problems often involving the victim’s social security benefits. Coconspirators fraudulently identified themselves as government agents to their 

unsuspecting victims. Gandhi tracked currency shipments for the conspiracy and 

recovered packages of United States currency shipped by those who had been victimized 

by the scheme. Gandhi would receive a fee from a portion of the contents of those 

packages and deliver the remaining currency to co-conspirators.

August 2, 2022: Sentencing.

August 2, 2022: Washington State Man Sentenced in Fictitious Social Security Scheme 

Targeting East Texas Elderly

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Eastern 

District of Texas

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
44 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx/pr/washington-state-man-sentenced-fictitious-socialsecurity-scheme-targeting-east-texas

United States v. 

Romario Mark 

Anthony Murray

Criminal Case Jamaican national Romario Mark Anthony Murray was sentenced to 51 months in federal 

prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail 

fraud, four counts of wire fraud, and three counts of mail fraud. The convictions stemmed 

from activities designed to defraud victims of their money through false promises of 

sweepstakes prizes. 

July 22, 2022: Sentencing.

July 22, 2022: Jamaican Man Sentenced to 51 Months in Federal Prison for Operating 

Sweepstakes Scam Targeting Elderly Victims

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl/pr/jamaican-man-sentenced-51-months-federal-prisonoperating-sweepstakes-scam-targeting

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Northern 

District of Florida

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Johnny Ray Thomas, 

et al.

Criminal Case South Florida resident Johnny Ray Thomas and his Indian co-conspirators, Saher Mash 

Uppal and Prateek Uppal, operated several fraudulent Information Technology (IT 

companies), which falsely and fraudulently convinced victims to make payments to the 

defendants’ companies for purported IT services and software when, in truth, and in fact, 

the victims received no legitimate services or software from the defendants’ businesses. 

Defendants and their co-conspirators “cold called” victims to inform them their computers 

had been hacked or otherwise compromised and convinced the victims to pay thousands 

for worthless “anti-virus” software and other services. Defendants and their coconspirators installed remote access software on the victims’ computers in order to install 

the worthless software, which often consisted of nothing more than “scripts” that 

generated pop-ups on the victims’ computers notifying them their computers were 

infected with viruses. Defendants diverted the victims’ funds to corporate and personal 

bank accounts they controlled for their personal use and benefit and to carry out the 

conspiracy by paying for Internet marketing and other “leads.”

July 26, 2022: Charges filed.

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Southern 

District of Florida

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007

United States v. 

Vinoth Ponmaran, et 

al.

Criminal Case Vinoth Ponmaran was indicted for participating in a conspiracy that exploited victims by 

remotely accessing their computers and convincing victims to pay for computer support 

services they did not need, and which were never actually provided. Ponmaran was a 

member of a criminal fraud ring (the “Fraud Ring”) based in the United States and India 

that committed a technical support fraud. The Fraud Ring caused pop-up windows to 

appear on victims’ computers. The pop-up windows claimed, falsely, that a virus had 

infected the victim’s computer. The pop-up window directed the victim to call a 

particular telephone number to obtain technical support. Two of Ponmaran’s codefendants have also been convicted and sentenced.

United States 

Attorney’s Office 

for the Southern 

District of New 

York

DOJ Office of 

Public Affairs

(202) 514-2007
45 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

July 20, 2022: Indictment.

July 20, 2022: Man Arrested for Leading Role in $10 Million Tech Support Fraud 

Scheme That Exploited Elderly Victims

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/man-arrested-leading-role-10-million-tech-supportfraud-scheme-exploited-elderly
46 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Avid Telecom LLC Cease-and-Desist 

Letter

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau issued a cease-and-desist letter to Michael D. Lansky, 

LLC d/b/a Avid Telecom for apparently transmitting illegal robocall traffic.

June 7, 2023: FCC Looks to Cut Off Insurance-Related Robocall Campaign

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-394146A1.pdf

June 7, 2023: Cease-and-Desist Letter

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-394134A1.pdf

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Jane van Benten

(202) 418-7167

Jane.vanBenten@

fcc.gov

Rising Eagle Capital 

Group LLC, et al.

Memorandum 

Opinion and 

Order

The FCC adopted a Memorandum Opinion and Order denying Rising Eagle Capital 

Group LLC’s Petition for Reconsideration and affirming its prior $225M Forfeiture 

Order for illegally spoofing caller ID. 

June 7, 2023: FCC Reaffirms $225 Million Spoofed Robocall Fine

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-394144A1.pdf 

June 7, 2023: Memorandum Opinion and Order

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-23-46A1.pdf 

The FCC previously released a Forfeiture Order on March 18, 2021. 

March 17, 2021: Health Insurance Telemarketer Faces Record FCC Fine of $225 

Million for Spoofed Robocalls

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-370869A1.pdf 

March 18, 2021: Forfeiture Order

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-21-35A1.pdf

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Daniel Stepanicich

(202) 418-7451

Daniel.Stepanicich@

fcc.gov
47 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

John Burkman, 

Jacob Alexander 

Wohl, and J.M. 

Burkman & 

Associates LLC

Forfeiture Order The FCC levied a $5,134,500 penalty against John Burkman, Alexander Wohl, and 

J.M. Burkman & Associates LLC for illegal robocalling. 

June 6, 2023: FCC Issues $5 Million Penalty for Illegal Robocalling Against Jacob 

Wohl and John Burkman

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-394089A1.pdf 

June 6, 2023: Forfeiture Order

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-23-44A1.pdf

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Raul Rojo

(202) 418-1336

Raul.Rojo@fcc.gov

Call Blocking: 

Report and Order, 

Further Notice of 

Proposed 

Rulemaking, and 

Notice of Inquiry

Report and 

Order, Further 

Notice of 

Proposed 

Rulemaking, and 

Notice of Inquiry

Released May 19, 2023: FCC rules will further enlist service providers in the fight 

against unwanted robocalls by extending our 24-hour traceback requirement to cover 

all voice service providers. Carriers will be required to support FCC and industry 

efforts to trace illegal robocalls across various networks and back to their originating 

sources. The rules will also require providers that originate illegal robocall traffic to 

block that traffic when notified by the FCC. 

The FCC will also now require all voice service providers to take reasonable and 

effective steps to ensure that any immediate upstream provider from which they accept 

call traffic is not using it to carry or process a high volume of illegal traffic.

The Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking also adopted today will seek public 

comment on a variety of other anti-robocall tools and strategies including requiring 

providers to adopt analytics-based blocking, requiring providers to block based on donot-originate lists, whether to require the display of caller name information in certain 

cases, and increasing forfeitures for voice service providers that fail to comply with the 

FCC’s rules. Today’s action includes a Notice of Inquiry that will seek input on the 

tools voice service providers use to combat illegal calls, including an industry tool 

known as a “honeypot,” and on the current state of call labeling, including the extent 

of its use and its accuracy.

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Kristi Thornton

(202) 418-2467

Kristi.Thornton@

fcc.gov 
48 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

One Eye LLC Final 

Determination 

Order

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau ordered voice service providers to block and cease 

accepting traffic from international gateway provider One Eye LLC.

May 11, 2023: FCC Orders Blocking of Calls from Gateway Facilitator of Illegal 

Robocalls from Overseas

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-393325A1.pdf

May 11, 2023: Final Determination Order

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-23-389A1.pdf

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Daniel Stepanicich

(202) 418-7451

Daniel.Stepanicich@

fcc.gov 

One Eye LLC Initial 

Determination 

Order

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau issued an Initial Determination Order against One 

Eye LLC for operating as a gateway provider for illegal robocalls.

April 3, 2023: FCC Accelerates Action Against Illegal Robocall Gateway Facilitator

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-392301A1.pdf 

April 3, 2023: Initial Determination Order 

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-23-279A1.pdf

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Daniel Stepanicich

(202) 418-7451

Daniel.Stepanicich@

fcc.gov 

Call Authentication 

Trust Anchor: 

Report and Order 

and Further Notice of 

Proposed 

Rulemaking

Report and 

Order and 

Further Notice of 

Proposed 

Rulemaking

The FCC adopted rules to enhance and expand provider obligations to implement the 

STIR/SHAKEN caller ID authentication framework. In addition, the new rules will 

expand robocall mitigation requirements for all providers. All providers, regardless of 

their STIR/SHAKEN implementation status, will now be required to take “reasonable 

steps” to mitigate illegal robocall traffic and submit a certification and mitigation plan 

to the FCC’s Robocall Mitigation Database. The FCC also adopted new tools and 

penalties to hold providers accountable for failing to comply with its rules and sought 

comment on additional measures that may strengthen and expand the FCC’s caller ID 

authentication regime.

March 16, 2023: FCC Closes Gap in Caller ID Authentication Regime to Combat 

Illegal Spoofed Robocalls

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-391798A1.pdf 

March 17, 2023: Sixth Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-23-18A1.pdf

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Zachary Ross

(202) 418-1033

Zachary.Ross@

fcc.gov
49 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

Targeting and 

Eliminating Unlawful 

Text Messages: 

Report and Order 

and Notice of 

Proposed 

Rulemaking

Report and 

Order and 

Notice of 

Proposed 

Rulemaking

Released March 17, 2023: The FCC adopted its first regulations specifically 

targeting the increasing problem of scam text messages sent to consumers. The new 

rules will require mobile service providers to block certain robotext messages that are 

highly likely to be illegal. The action also seeks input on further regulatory actions the 

FCC can take to protect consumers from scam robotexts.

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Kristi Thornton

(202) 418-2467

Kristi.Thornton@

fcc.gov 

One Eye LLC Cease-and-Desist 

Letter

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau released a cease-and-desist letter warning One Eye 

LLC that it was apparently transmitting illegal robocall traffic. The letter required the 

company to immediately investigate and mitigate the identified suspected illegal 

robocalls and implement measures to prevent new and renewing customers from using 

its network to transmit illegal robocalls. The letter also warned that if the company 

continued to knowingly or negligently originate illegal robocall traffic then the FCC 

may remove its Robocall Mitigation Database certification thereby requiring all 

intermediate and terminating voice service providers to cease accepting its traffic.

February 15, 2023: Cease-and-Desist Letter

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-391103A1.pdf

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Daniel Stepanicich

(202) 418-7451

Daniel.Stepanicich@

fcc.gov 

Twilio Inc. Cease-and-Desist 

Letter

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau released a cease-and-desist letter warning Twilio Inc. 

that it was apparently transmitting illegal robocall traffic. The letter required the 

company to immediately investigate and mitigate the identified suspected illegal 

robocalls and implement measures to prevent new and renewing customers from using 

its network to transmit illegal robocalls. The letter also warned that if the company 

continued to knowingly or negligently originate illegal robocall traffic then the FCC 

may remove its Robocall Mitigation Database certification thereby requiring all 

intermediate and terminating voice service providers to cease accepting its traffic.

January 24, 2023: FCC Takes on Mortgage Scam Robocall Campaign Targeting 

Homeowners

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-390813A1.pdf 

January 24, 2023: Cease-and-Desist Letter

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-390811A1.pdf 

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Raul Rojo

(202) 418-1336

Raul.Rojo@fcc.gov
50 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

Bureau-Level 

Declaratory Ruling 

Regarding Robocalls 

by Health and 

Human Services

Declaratory 

Ruling

Released January 23, 2023: The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau granted in significant 

part the request of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to confirm that 

federal and state governmental agencies working in conjunction with local 

governments, governmental contractors, and managed care entities acting under 

contract with state governments may, under certain circumstances, make autodialed 

and prerecorded or artificial voice calls or send autodialed text messages to raise 

awareness of the eligibility and enrollment requirements for these governmental health

care programs without violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Kristi Thornton

(202) 418-2467

Kristi.Thornton@

fcc.gov 

SIPphony LLC Cease-and-Desist 

Letter

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau released a cease-and-desist letter warning SIPphony

LLC that it was apparently transmitting illegal robocall traffic. The letter required the 

company to immediately investigate and mitigate the identified suspected illegal 

robocalls and implement measures to prevent new and renewing customers from using 

its network to transmit illegal robocalls. The letter also warned that if the company 

continued to knowingly or negligently originate illegal robocall traffic then the FCC 

may remove its Robocall Mitigation Database certification thereby requiring all 

intermediate and terminating voice service providers to cease accepting its traffic.

January 11, 2023: Cease-and-Desist Letter

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-390624A1.pdf

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Daniel Stepanicich

(202) 418-7451

Daniel.Stepanicich@

fcc.gov 

Vultik Inc. Cease-and-Desist 

Letter

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau released a cease-and-desist letter warning Vultik Inc. 

that it was apparently transmitting illegal robocall traffic. The letter required the 

company to immediately investigate and mitigate the identified suspected illegal 

robocalls and implement measures to prevent new and renewing customers from using 

its network to transmit illegal robocalls. The letter also warned that if the company 

continued to knowingly or negligently originate illegal robocall traffic then the FCC 

may remove its Robocall Mitigation Database certification thereby requiring all 

intermediate and terminating voice service providers to cease accepting its traffic.

January 11, 2023: Cease-and-Desist Letter

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-390625A1.pdf

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Daniel Stepanicich

(202) 418-7451

Daniel.Stepanicich@

fcc.gov 

Telephone Consumer 

Protection Act: 

Order on 

Reconsideration and 

Declaratory Ruling

Order and 

Declaratory 

Ruling

Released December 27, 2022: The FCC’s decision allows exempted callers the 

option of obtaining either oral or written consent if they wish to make more calls than 

the numerical limits; however, the FCC denied requests to reconsider the numerical 

limits on exempted calls as well as the expanded opt-out requirements. Additionally, 

the FCC granted a request that an earlier FCC ruling on “prior express consent” for 

calls made by utility companies to wireless phones applies equally to residential 

landlines.

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Kristi Thornton

(202) 418-2467

Kristi.Thornton@

fcc.gov 
51 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

Sumco Panama SA,

et al.

Notice of 

Apparent 

Liability for 

Forfeiture

The FCC issued a Notice of Apparent Liability proposing a record $299,997,000 fine 

against an auto warranty scam robocall operation run by Roy Cox, Jr. and Michael 

Aaron Jones via their company Sumco Panama SA, and other companies and 

associates. 

December 21, 2022: FCC Proposes Largest Fine Ever Against Auto Warranty Scam 

Robocaller

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-390362A1.pdf

December 23, 2022: Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-22-99A1.pdf 

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Jessica Manuel

(202) 418-1305

Jessica.Manuel@

fcc.gov 

Reassigned Numbers

Database (RND)

Notices of 

Apparent 

Liability for 

Forfeiture

The FCC issued Notices of Apparent Liability to each of the following 12 companies 

for non-compliance with the requirements of the Reassigned Numbers Database: 

BendTel, Inc.; Puerto Rico Telephone Company, Inc. d/b/a Claro Puerto Rico; 

Communications Plus, Inc.; Business Automation Technologies, Inc. d/b/a Data 

Network Solutions; Fort Mojave Telecommunications, Inc.; Integrated Path 

Communications, LLC; Local Access LLC; Palo Cooperative Telephone Association 

d/b/a Palo Communications; Point Broadband Fiber Holding, LLC d/b/a Point 

Broadband; Salsgiver Telecom, Inc.; Stratford Mutual Telephone Company; Swayzee 

Telephone Company, Inc. d/b/a Swayzee Communications Corp., Swayzee 

Communications Corp., and FiberHawk. 

December 12, 2022: FCC Proposes Fines for Noncompliance with Reassigned 

Numbers Database Rules

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-390040A1.pdf 

December 12, 2022: Notices of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture

BendTel, Inc. NAL 

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-1294A1.pdf

Claro Puerto Rico NAL

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-1298A1.pdf 

Communications Plus, Inc. NAL

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-1296A1.pdf 

Data Network Solutions NAL

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-1295A1.pdf 

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Mary Romano

(202) 418-1336

Mary.Romano@

fcc.gov 
52 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

Fort Mojave Telecommunications, Inc. NAL

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-1293A1.pdf 

Integrated Path Communications, LLC NAL

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-1288A1.pdf 

Local Access LLC NAL

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-1287A1.pdf 

Palo Communications NAL

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-1297A1.pdf 

Point Broadband NAL

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-1292A1.pdf 

Salsgiver Telecom, Inc. NAL

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-1291A1.pdf 

Stratford Mutual Telephone Company NAL

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-1289A1.pdf 

Swayzee Communications Corp., FiberHawk NAL

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-1290A1.pdf 

Urth Access, LLC Effective 

Mitigation Order

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau issued an order directing all U.S.-based voice service 

providers to take immediate steps to mitigate suspected illegal student loan-related 

robocall traffic from Urth Access, LLC. 

December 8, 2022: FCC Orders Blocking of Student Loan Scam Robocall Campaign

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-389923A1.pdf 

December 8, 2022: Order

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-1271A1.pdf

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Daniel Stepanicich

(202) 418-7451

Daniel.Stepanicich@

fcc.gov
53 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

Global UC Inc. Robocall 

Mitigation 

Database (RMD) 

Removal

The FCC removed Global UC Inc. from the Robocall Mitigation Database for noncompliance with anti-robocall rules.

 

November 22, 2022: FCC Cuts Off Provider From Network Access for Failing to 

Meet Robocall Mitigation Requirements 

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-389419A1.pdf 

November 22, 2022: October 2022 Robocall Mitigation Database 

Compliance/Removal Actions 

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-1220A1.pdf 

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Daniel Stepanicich

(202) 418-7451

Daniel.Stepanicich@

fcc.gov

All About the 

Message: 

Declaratory Ruling 

and Order

Declaratory 

Ruling and 

Order

Released November 21, 2022: The FCC adopted an order finding that “ringless 

voicemail” to wireless phones requires consumer consent. Prior to this decision, 

callers could make such ringless voicemail calls to consumers without first getting 

their consent. 

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Kristi Thornton

(202) 418-2467

Kristi.Thornton@

fcc.gov

Urth Access, LLC Cease-and-Desist 

Letter

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau released a cease-and-desist letter warning Urth 

Access, LLC that it was apparently transmitting illegal robocall traffic. The letter 

required the company to immediately investigate and mitigate the identified suspected 

illegal robocalls and implement measures to prevent new and renewing customers 

from using its network to transmit illegal robocalls. The letter also warned that if the 

company continued to knowingly or negligently originate illegal robocall traffic then 

the FCC may remove its Robocall Mitigation Database certification thereby requiring 

all intermediate and terminating voice service providers to cease accepting its traffic.

November 10, 2022: Cease-and-Desist Letter

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-389066A1.pdf

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Daniel Stepanicich

(202) 418-7451

Daniel.Stepanicich@

fcc.gov 
54 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

Non-IP Caller ID

Authentication: 

Notice of Inquiry

Notice of Inquiry The FCC began a proceeding to consider ways to combat illegally spoofed robocalls 

that pass through non-IP networks. The FCC sought comment on the prevalence of 

non-IP technology in the country’s phone networks and the impact this technology has 

on the problem of illegal robocalls. It also sought input on alternative technological or 

policy solutions to enable caller ID authentication over non-IP networks, and on 

specific steps the FCC can take to encourage the industry’s transition to IP.

October 27, 2022: FCC Seeks to Fill Challenging Gap in STIR/SHAKEN Robocall 

Defenses

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-388709A1.pdf 

October 28, 2022: Notice of Inquiry

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-22-81A1.pdf

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Zachary Ross

(202) 418-1033

Zachary.Ross@

fcc.gov

Robocall Mitigation 

Database (RMD)

Show Cause 

Orders

The FCC issued a Show Cause Order to each of the following companies: Akabis, 

Cloud4, Global UC, Horizon Technology Group, Morse Communications, Sharon 

Telephone Company, and SW Arkansas Telecommunications and Technology. The 

Show Cause Orders required each company to demonstrate why they should not be 

removed from the Robocall Mitigation Database for non-compliance with anti-robocall 

rules.

October 3, 2022: FCC Plans to Remove Companies from Key Database for NonCompliance with Anti-Robocall Rules

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-387840A1.pdf

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Daniel Stepanicich

(202) 418-7451

Daniel.Stepanicich@

fcc.gov 

Targeting and 

Eliminating Unlawful 

Text Messages: 

Notice of Proposed 

Rulemaking

Notice of 

Proposed 

Rulemaking

Released September 27, 2022: The FCC proposed to require mobile wireless 

providers to block illegal text messages, building on its ongoing work to stop illegal 

and unwanted robocalls. Specifically, the FCC proposed to require mobile wireless 

providers to block texts, at the network level, that purport to be from invalid, 

unallocated, or unused numbers, and numbers on a Do-Not-Originate (DNO) list. It 

also sought comment on the extent to which spoofing is a problem with regard to text 

messaging today and whether there are measures the FCC can take to encourage 

providers to identify and block texts that appear to come from spoofed numbers. In 

addition, it sought comment on applying caller ID authentication standards to text 

messaging.

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Kristi Thornton

(202) 418-2467

Kristi.Thornton@

fcc.gov 
55 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

Thomas Dorsher,

ChariTel Inc, OnTel 

Inc, and 

ScammerBlaster Inc 

Notice of 

Apparent 

Liability for 

Forfeiture

The FCC proposed a $116,156,250 fine against Thomas Dorsher, ChariTel Inc, Ontel 

Inc, and ScammerBlaster Inc for apparently willfully and repeatedly engaging in 

conduct that apparently violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the 

FCC’s rules.

July 14, 2022: FCC Proposes $116 Million Fine for Toll-Free Traffic Pumping 

Robocall Scheme

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-385270A1.pdf

July 14, 2022: Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture 

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-22-57A1.pdf

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Daniel Stepanicich

(202) 418-7451

Daniel.Stepanicich@

fcc.gov 

Call Pipe, Fugle 

Telecom, Geist 

Telecom, Global 

Lynks, Mobi 

Telecom, 

SipKonnect, South 

Dakota Telecom, 

Virtual Telecom 

Cease-and-Desist 

Letters

The FCC issued cease-and-desist letters against eight entities authorizing phone 

companies to cut off likely auto warranty scam robocall campaigns.

July 7, 2022: FCC Authorizes Phone Companies to Cut Off Likely Auto Warranty 

Scam Robocall Campaign

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-385038A1.pdf

July 7, 2022: Robocall Enforcement Notice to All U.S.-Based Voice Service 

Providers

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-727A1.pdf

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Daniel Stepanicich

(202) 418-7451

Daniel.Stepanicich@

fcc.gov 

Gateway Provider: 

Report and Order, 

Order on 

Reconsideration, 

Order, and Further 

Notice of Proposed 

Rulemaking

Report and 

Order, Order on 

Reconsideration, 

Order, and 

Further Notice of 

Proposed 

Rulemaking

The FCC adopted rules to extend its protections against unlawful robocalls by placing 

new obligations on the gateway providers that are the entry point for foreign calls into 

the United States and requiring them to play a more active role in the fight against 

illegal robocalls.

May 19, 2022: FCC Closes Door on International Robocall Scammers

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-383499A1.pdf 

May 20, 2022: Report and Order

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-22-37A1.pdf

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contacts:

Kristi Thornton

(202) 418-2467

Kristi.Thornton@

fcc.gov 

Zachary Ross

(202) 418-1033

Zachary.Ross@

fcc.gov
56 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

Airespring, Inc., 

Hello Hello Miami, 

LLC, thinQ 

Technologies, Inc. 

Cease-and-Desist 

Letters

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau released cease-and-desist letters warning Airespring, 

Inc.; Hello Hello Miami, LLC; and thinQ Technologies, Inc. that they were apparently 

transmitting illegal robocall traffic. The letters required the companies to immediately 

investigate and mitigate the identified suspected illegal robocalls and implement 

measures to prevent new and renewing customers from using their networks to 

transmit illegal robocalls. 

March 22, 2022: Airespring Inc. Letter

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-381499A1.pdf

March 22, 2022: Hello Hello Miami, LLC Letter

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-381500A1.pdf 

March 22, 2022: thinQ Technologies, Inc. Letter

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-381498A1.pdf 

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Daniel Stepanicich

(202) 418-7451

Daniel.Stepanicich@

fcc.gov 

Telecom Carrier 

Access, Inc. and 

Great Choice 

Telecom LLC 

Cease-and-Desist 

Letters 

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau released cease-and-desist letters warning Telecom 

Carrier Access, Inc. and Great Choice Telecom LLC that they were apparently 

transmitting illegal robocall traffic. The letters required the companies to immediately 

investigate and mitigate the identified suspected illegal robocalls and implement 

measures to prevent new and renewing customers from using their networks to 

transmit illegal robocalls. 

February 10, 2022: Telecom Carrier Access, Inc. Letter

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-380157A1.pdf 

February 10, 2022: Great Choice Telecom LLC Letter

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-380158A1.pdf

Federal 

Communications 

Commission

Staff Contact:

Daniel Stepanicich

(202) 418-7451

Daniel.Stepanicich@

fcc.gov
57 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

Operation Upstream 

Carrier Without a 

Paddle

The Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General (SSA OIG), initiated Operation Upstream Carrier Without A Paddle to protect 

consumers from SSA-related scam calls. The SSA OIG has been seeking penalties authorized under the consumer protection provisions of Section 1140 

of the Social Security Act against U.S. telecommunications companies, acting as gateway carriers, who profited by accepting scam calls into the U.S. 

telecommunications system and passing them on to unsuspecting consumers.

 

To date, SSA OIG has initiated 31 cases against gateway carriers. Penalties have been imposed against 20 companies via settlement agreement and one 

company via a default action, with penalties totaling more than $392,000. For more information about the SSA OIG and Section 1140, please visit SSA 

OIG’s website at https://oig.ssa.gov/. 

Paul Talbott (d/b/a 

Articul8)

Civil Monetary 

Penalty Action

under Section 

1140 of the Social 

Security Act 

against Paul 

Talbott (d/b/a 

Articul8).

January 7, 2022: Notice of Proposed Penalty under Section 1140 of the Social 

Security Act issued.

April 26, 2022: Notice of Imposition of Civil Monetary Penalty imposing a $66,000 

Civil Monetary Penalty via Default

$66,000 penalty imposed via default on April 26, 2022. 

Social Security 

Administration 

Office of the 

Inspector 

General

Rebecca Rose 

SSA OIG Press 

Officer

OIG.DCOM@

ssa.gov

Jessica Stubbs

Deputy Counsel

OIG.1140@ssa.gov

HFA Services LLC 

(d/b/a Call 48)

Civil Monetary 

Penalty Action

under Section 

1140 of the Social 

Security Act 

against HFA 

Services LLC 

(d/b/a Call 48).

April 12, 2022: Notice of Section 1140 of the Social Security Act Inquiry and 

Subpoena issued.

August 31, 2022: SSA OIG and HFA Services LLC enter into a Settlement 

Agreement; HFA Services LLC to pay a Civil Monetary Penalty in the amount of 

$18,000.

$18,000 penalty imposed via Settlement Agreement on August 31, 2022. 

Social Security 

Administration 

Office of the 

Inspector 

General

Rebecca Rose 

SSA OIG Press 

Officer

OIG.DCOM@

ssa.gov

Jessica Stubbs

Deputy Counsel

OIG.1140@ssa.gov
58 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

Smartbiz Telecom Civil Monetary 

Penalty Action

under Section 

1140 of the Social 

Security Act 

against Smartbiz 

Telecom.

April 19, 2022: Notice of Proposed Penalty under Section 1140 of the Social Security 

Act issued.

June 15, 2022: Request for Hearing filed by Respondent with the Departmental 

Appeals Board, Civil Remedies Division.

October 5, 2022: SSA OIG and Smartbiz Telecom enter into a Settlement 

Agreement; Smartbiz Telecom to pay a Civil Monetary Penalty in the amount of 

$18,000.

October 12, 2022: Joint Motion to Dismiss Request for Hearing filed.

October 13, 2022: Order Dismissing Case.

$18,000 penalty imposed via Settlement Agreement on October 12, 2022. 

Social Security 

Administration 

Office of the 

Inspector 

General

Rebecca Rose 

SSA OIG Press 

Officer

OIG.DCOM@

ssa.gov

Jessica Stubbs

Deputy Counsel

OIG.1140@ssa.gov

KWK 

Communications, 

Inc.

Civil Monetary 

Penalty Action

under Section 

1140 of the Social 

Security Act 

against KWK 

Communications, 

Inc.

April 12, 2022: Notice of Section 1140 of the Social Security Act Inquiry and 

Subpoena issued.

November 18, 2022: SSA OIG and KWK Communications, Inc. enter into a 

Settlement Agreement; KWK Communications, Inc. to pay a Civil Monetary Penalty 

in the amount of $7,500.

$7,500 penalty imposed via Settlement Agreement on November 18, 2022. 

Social Security 

Administration 

Office of the 

Inspector 

General

Rebecca Rose 

SSA OIG Press 

Officer

OIG.DCOM@

ssa.gov

Jessica Stubbs

Deputy Counsel

OIG.1140@ssa.gov

Range, Inc. (d/b/a 

Range Telecom)

Civil Monetary 

Penalty Action

under Section 

1140 of the Social 

Security Act 

against Range, 

Inc. (d/b/a Range 

Telecom).

April 12, 2022: Notice of Section 1140 of the Social Security Act Inquiry and 

Subpoena issued.

November 29, 2022: SSA OIG and Range Telecom enter into a Settlement

Agreement; Range Telecom to pay a Civil Monetary Penalty in the amount of $16,000.

$16,000 penalty imposed via Settlement Agreement on November 29, 2022. 

Social Security 

Administration 

Office of the 

Inspector 

General

Rebecca Rose 

SSA OIG Press 

Officer

OIG.DCOM@

ssa.gov

Jessica Stubbs

Deputy Counsel

OIG.1140@ssa.gov
59 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

Dominic Bohnett 

(d/b/a TCA VoIP) 

Civil Monetary 

Penalty Action

under Section 

1140 of the Social 

Security Act 

against Dominic 

Bohnett (d/b/a 

TCA VoIP). 

April 19, 2022: Notice of Proposed Penalty under Section 1140 of the Social Security 

Act issued.

June 17, 2022: Request for Hearing filed by Respondent with the Departmental 

Appeals Board, Civil Remedies Division.

November 30, 2022: SSA OIG and Dominic Bohnett enter into a Settlement 

Agreement; Dominic Bohnett to pay a Civil Monetary Penalty in the amount of 

$12,500.

December 1, 2022: Joint Motion to Dismiss Request for Hearing filed.

December 2, 2022: Order Dismissing Case.

$12,500 penalty imposed via Settlement Agreement on November 30, 2022. 

Social Security 

Administration 

Office of the 

Inspector 

General

Rebecca Rose 

SSA OIG Press 

Officer

OIG.DCOM@

ssa.gov

Jessica Stubbs

Deputy Counsel

OIG.1140@ssa.gov

iBasis, Inc. Civil Monetary 

Penalty Action

under Section 

1140 of the Social 

Security Act 

against iBasis, 

Inc.

July 19, 2022: Notice of Section 1140 of the Social Security Act Inquiry and 

Subpoena issued.

December 2, 2022: SSA OIG and iBasis, Inc. enter into a Settlement Agreement; 

iBasis, Inc. to pay a Civil Monetary Penalty in the amount of $20,000.

$20,000 penalty imposed via Settlement Agreement on December 2, 2022. 

Social Security 

Administration 

Office of the 

Inspector 

General

Rebecca Rose 

SSA OIG Press 

Officer

OIG.DCOM@

ssa.gov

Jessica Stubbs

Deputy Counsel

OIG.1140@ssa.gov

IDT Corporation Civil Monetary 

Penalty Action

under Section 

1140 of the Social 

Security Act 

against IDT 

Corporation.

April 26, 2022: Notice of Section 1140 of the Social Security Act Inquiry and 

Subpoena issued.

December 20, 2022: SSA OIG and IDT Corporation enter into a Settlement 

Agreement; IDT Corporation to pay a Civil Monetary Penalty in the amount of 

$50,000.

$50,000 penalty imposed via Settlement Agreement on December 20, 2022. 

Social Security 

Administration 

Office of the 

Inspector 

General

Rebecca Rose 

SSA OIG Press 

Officer

OIG.DCOM@

ssa.gov

Jessica Stubbs

Deputy Counsel

OIG.1140@ssa.gov
60 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

Telconus/Whisl 

Telecom, LLC

Civil Monetary 

Penalty Action

under Section 

1140 of the Social 

Security Act 

against 

Telconus/Whisl 

Telecom, LLC.

April 12, 2022: Notice of Section 1140 of the Social Security Act Inquiry and 

Subpoena issued.

January 13, 2023: SSA OIG and Teleconus enter into a Settlement Agreement; 

Teleconus to pay a Civil Monetary Penalty in the amount of $18,000.

$18,000 penalty imposed via Settlement Agreement on January 13, 2023. 

Social Security 

Administration 

Office of the 

Inspector 

General

Rebecca Rose 

SSA OIG Press 

Officer

OIG.DCOM@

ssa.gov

Jessica Stubbs

Deputy Counsel

OIG.1140@ssa.gov

Hello Hello Miami, 

LLC

Civil Monetary 

Penalty Action

under Section 

1140 of the Social 

Security Act 

against Hello 

Hello Miami, 

LLC. 

April 15, 2022: Notice of Section 1140 of the Social Security Act Inquiry and 

Subpoena issued.

January 19, 2023: SSA OIG and Hello Hello Miami, LLC enter into a Settlement 

Agreement; Hello Hello Miami, LLC to pay a Civil Monetary Penalty in the amount of 

$18,000.

$18,000 penalty imposed via Settlement Agreement on January 19, 2023. 

Social Security 

Administration 

Office of the 

Inspector 

General

Rebecca Rose 

SSA OIG Press 

Officer

OIG.DCOM@

ssa.gov

Jessica Stubbs

Deputy Counsel

OIG.1140@ssa.gov

Peerless Network Civil Monetary 

Penalty Action

under Section 

1140 of the Social 

Security Act 

against Peerless 

Network.

July 19, 2022: Notice of Section 1140 of the Social Security Act Inquiry and 

Subpoena issued.

January 24, 2023: SSA OIG and Peerless Network enter into a Settlement 

Agreement; Peerless Network to pay a Civil Monetary Penalty in the amount of 

$12,000.

$12,000 penalty imposed via Settlement Agreement on January 24, 2023. 

Social Security 

Administration 

Office of the 

Inspector 

General

Rebecca Rose 

SSA OIG Press 

Officer

OIG.DCOM@

ssa.gov

Jessica Stubbs

Deputy Counsel

OIG.1140@ssa.gov

Impact 

Telecom/Matrix 

Telecom LLC d/b/a 

Vartec 

Telecom/Lingo 

(Impact Telecom)

Civil Monetary 

Penalty Action

under Section 

1140 of the Social 

Security Act 

against Impact 

Telecom/Matrix 

Telecom LLC 

d/b/a Vartec 

Telecom/Lingo 

(Impact Telecom).

April 12, 2022: Notice of Section 1140 of the Social Security Act Inquiry and 

Subpoena issued.

January 31, 2023: SSA OIG and Impact Telecom enter into a Settlement Agreement; 

Impact Telecom to pay a Civil Monetary Penalty in the amount of $20,000.

$20,000 penalty imposed via Settlement Agreement on January 31, 2023.

Social Security 

Administration 

Office of the 

Inspector 

General

Rebecca Rose 

SSA OIG Press 

Officer

OIG.DCOM@

ssa.gov

Jessica Stubbs

Deputy Counsel

OIG.1140@ssa.gov
61 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

Inteliquent, Inc. Civil Monetary 

Penalty Action

under Section 

1140 of the Social 

Security Act 

against 

Inteliquent, Inc.

April 12, 2022: Notice of Section 1140 of the Social Security Act Inquiry and 

Subpoena issued.

January 31, 2023: SSA OIG and Inteliquent, Inc. enter into a Settlement Agreement; 

Inteliquent, Inc. to pay a Civil Monetary Penalty in the amount of $20,184.

$20,184 penalty imposed via Settlement Agreement on January 31, 2023. 

Social Security 

Administration 

Office of the 

Inspector 

General

Rebecca Rose 

SSA OIG Press 

Officer

OIG.DCOM@

ssa.gov

Jessica Stubbs

Deputy Counsel

OIG.1140@ssa.gov

All Access Telecom, 

Inc.

Civil Monetary 

Penalty Action

under Section 

1140 of the Social 

Security Act 

against All Access 

Telecom, Inc.

August 1, 2022: Notice of Section 1140 of the Social Security Act Inquiry and 

Subpoena issued.

February 2, 2023: SSA OIG and All Access Telecom, Inc. enter into a Settlement

Agreement; All Access Telecom, Inc. to pay a Civil Monetary Penalty in the amount 

of $4,000.

$4,000 penalty imposed via Settlement Agreement on February 2, 2023. 

Social Security 

Administration 

Office of the 

Inspector 

General

Rebecca Rose 

SSA OIG Press 

Officer

OIG.DCOM@

ssa.gov

Jessica Stubbs

Deputy Counsel

OIG.1140@ssa.gov

NTC International, 

Inc. 

Civil Monetary 

Penalty Action

under Section 

1140 of the Social 

Security Act 

against NTC 

International, Inc. 

April 12, 2022: Notice of Section 1140 of the Social Security Act Inquiry and 

Subpoena issued.

February 6, 2023: SSA OIG and NTC International, Inc. enter into a Settlement 

Agreement; NTC International, Inc. to pay a Civil Monetary Penalty in the amount of 

$8,300.

$8,300 penalty imposed via Settlement Agreement on February 6, 2023. 

Social Security 

Administration 

Office of the 

Inspector 

General

Rebecca Rose 

SSA OIG Press 

Officer

OIG.DCOM@

ssa.gov

Jessica Stubbs

Deputy Counsel

OIG.1140@ssa.gov

Vodafone US Civil Monetary 

Penalty Action

under Section 

1140 of the Social 

Security Act 

against Vodafone 

US.

August 5, 2022: Notice of Section 1140 of the Social Security Act Inquiry and 

Subpoena issued.

February 23, 2023: SSA OIG and Vodafone US enter into a Settlement Agreement; 

Vodafone US to pay a Civil Monetary Penalty in the amount of $10,000.

$10,000 penalty imposed via Settlement Agreement on February 23, 2023. 

Social Security 

Administration 

Office of the 

Inspector 

General

Rebecca Rose 

SSA OIG Press 

Officer

OIG.DCOM@

ssa.gov

Jessica Stubbs

Deputy Counsel

OIG.1140@ssa.gov
62 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

Tellza Inc./Phonetime 

Inc./Matchcom 

Telecommunications 

Inc. (Tellza)

Civil Monetary 

Penalty Action

under Section 

1140 of the Social 

Security Act 

against Tellza 

Inc./Phonetime 

Inc./Matchcom 

Telecommunicati

ons Inc. (Tellza).

November 15, 2022: Notice of Section 1140 of the Social Security Act Inquiry and 

Subpoena issued.

February 23, 2023: SSA OIG and Tellza enter into a Settlement Agreement; Tellza 

to pay a Civil Monetary Penalty in the amount of $16,000.

$16,000 penalty imposed via Settlement Agreement on February 23, 2023. 

Social Security 

Administration 

Office of the 

Inspector 

General

Rebecca Rose 

SSA OIG Press 

Officer

OIG.DCOM@

ssa.gov

Jessica Stubbs

Deputy Counsel

OIG.1140@ssa.gov

AlkaIP Telecom LLC Civil Monetary 

Penalty Action 

under Section 

1140 of the Social 

Security Act 

against AlkaIP 

Telecom LLC.

November 2, 2022: Notice of Section 1140 of the Social Security Act Inquiry and 

Subpoena issued.

March 21, 2023: SSA OIG and AlkaIP Telecom LLC enter into a Settlement 

Agreement; AlkaIP Telecom LLC to pay a Civil Monetary Penalty in the amount of 

$19,000.

$19,000 penalty imposed via Settlement Agreement on March 21, 2023. 

Social Security 

Administration 

Office of the 

Inspector 

General

Rebecca Rose 

SSA OIG Press 

Officer

OIG.DCOM@

ssa.gov

Jessica Stubbs

Deputy Counsel

OIG.1140@ssa.gov

RSCom Ltd./NGP 

Telecom LLC 

(RSCom)

Civil Monetary 

Penalty Action

under Section 

1140 of the Social 

Security Act 

against RSCom 

Ltd./NGP 

Telecom LLC 

(RSCom).

November 2, 2022: Notice of Section 1140 of the Social Security Act Inquiry and 

Subpoena issued.

April 6, 2023: SSA OIG and RSCom Ltd. enter into a Settlement Agreement; RSCom

Ltd. to pay a Civil Monetary Penalty in the amount of $16,000.

$16,000 penalty imposed via Settlement Agreement on April 6, 2023.

Social Security 

Administration 

Office of the 

Inspector 

General

Rebecca Rose 

SSA OIG Press 

Officer

OIG.DCOM@

ssa.gov

Jessica Stubbs

Deputy Counsel

OIG.1140@ssa.gov

ComputerTel, Inc. Civil Monetary 

Penalty Action

under Section 

1140 of the Social 

Security Act 

against 

ComputerTel, Inc.

August 1, 2022: Notice of Section 1140 of the Social Security Act Inquiry and 

Subpoena issued.

April 3, 2023: SSA OIG and ComputerTel, Inc. enter into a Settlement Agreement; 

ComputerTel, Inc. to pay a Civil Monetary Penalty in the amount of $8,000.

$8,000 penalty imposed via Settlement Agreement on April 3, 2023. 

Social Security 

Administration 

Office of the 

Inspector 

General

Rebecca Rose 

SSA OIG Press 

Officer

OIG.DCOM@

ssa.gov

Jessica Stubbs

Deputy Counsel

OIG.1140@ssa.gov
63 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

VoIPStreet, 

Inc./VoIP 

Innovations

Civil Monetary 

Penalty Action

under Section 

1140 of the Social 

Security Act 

against 

VoIPStreet, 

Inc./VoIP 

Innovations.

November 2, 2022: Notice of Section 1140 of the Social Security Act Inquiry and 

Subpoena issued.

April 17, 2023: SSA OIG and VoIPStreet, Inc./VoIP Innovations enter into a 

Settlement Agreement; VoIPStreet, Inc./VoIP Innovations to pay a Civil Monetary 

Penalty in the amount of $15,000.

$15,000 penalty imposed via Settlement Agreement on April 17, 2023. 

Social Security 

Administration 

Office of the 

Inspector 

General

Rebecca Rose 

SSA OIG Press 

Officer

OIG.DCOM@

ssa.gov

Jessica Stubbs

Deputy Counsel

OIG.1140@ssa.gov
64

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

UNITED STATES POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE

United States Postal 

Inspection Service

During the past year, the United States Postal Inspection Service continued to maintain a robust program issuing warning letters to unlicensed money 

transmitters (“money mules”) who facilitated telemarketing fraud with thousands of warning letters issued.
65 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL

Anti-Robocall 

Multistate Litigation 

Task Force

Task Force 

Formation

The Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force is a 51-state-member collective, 

led by the Attorneys General of Indiana, North Carolina, and Ohio, which is focused 

on actively investigating and pursuing enforcement actions against various entities—

currently, VoIP providers—in the robocall ecosystem that are identified as being 

responsible for significant volumes of illegal and fraudulent robocall traffic routed into 

and across the country. 

The Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force consists of the 51 Attorneys 

General of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, 

Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, 

Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, 

Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New 

Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, 

Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, 

Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and 

Wyoming.

August 2, 2022: Task Force formation announced.

August 2, 2022 (sample state press release – Indiana): Attorney General Todd 

Rokita Announces the Formation of a Nationwide Bipartisan Anti-Robocall Litigation 

Task Force

https://events.in.gov/event/attorney_general_todd_rokita_announces_the_formation_of

_a_nationwide_bipartisan_anti-robocall_litigation_task_force 

August 2, 2022 (sample state press release – North Carolina): Attorney General 

Josh Stein Leads New Nationwide Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force

https://ncdoj.gov/attorney-general-josh-stein-leads-new-nationwide-anti-robocalllitigation-task-force/ 

August 2, 2022 (sample state press release – Ohio): Attorney General Yost 

Announces the Formation of National Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/August-2022/AttorneyGeneral-Yost-Announces-the-Formation-of-N 

August 3, 2022 (sample national press): US State Attorneys General Form 

Nationwide Anti-Robocalling Task Force

The Attorneys 

General of 

Indiana, North 

Carolina, and 

Ohio.

For Indiana:

Press Contact:

Benjamin Fearnow

(317) 941-4355

benjamin.fearnow@

atg.in.gov 

Staff Contact:

Joseph Yeoman

(317) 234-1912

joseph.yeoman@

atg.in.gov 

For North Carolina:

Press Contact:

Nazneen Ahmed

(919) 716-0060

nahmed@ncdoj.gov

Staff Contact:

Tracy Nayer 

(919) 716-6000

tnayer@ncdoj.gov 

For Ohio:

Press Contact:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@

OhioAGO.gov 

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@

OhioAGO.gov 

Staff Contact:

For Ohio: 

Erin Leahy

(614) 752-4730

Erin.Leahy@

OhioAGO.gov
66 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

https://www.pcmag.com/news/us-state-attorneys-general-form-nationwide-antirobocalling-task-force 

Todd Rokita, Indiana 

Attorney General v. 

One Eye, LLC

Marion County 

Superior Court, State 

of Indiana

Cause No. 49D03-

2211-MI-037723 

Petition to 

Enforce Civil 

Investigative 

Demand on 

behalf of the AntiRobocall 

Multistate 

Litigation Task 

Force

On behalf of the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force, the Attorney General 

of Indiana filed a petition to enforce the Civil Investigative Demand issued in August 

2022 to One Eye, LLC.

November 1, 2022: Verified Petition to Enforce Civil Investigative Demand

https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/INAG/2022/11/01/file_attachments/2315

944/One%20Eye-%20Petition%20to%20Enforce%20-%201.pdf 

May 31, 2023: The Court ordered that One Eye, LLC, its ownership group, and its 

successive company One Owl Telecom Inc. stop transmitting calls to: 

 • Phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry;

 • Phone numbers on the Indiana Do Not Call List.

• Phone numbers with an Indiana Area Code; and

• Indiana Residents.

Copy of Court Order: 

https://ncdoj.sharefile.com/d-s18b04f3f99de4f5780d19665127e876c 

The Attorney 

General of 

Indiana on behalf 

of the AntiRobocall 

Multistate 

Litigation Task 

Force. 

For Indiana:

Press Contact:

Benjamin Fearnow

(317) 941-4355

benjamin.fearnow@

atg.in.gov 

Staff Contact:

Joseph Yeoman

(317) 234-1912

joseph.yeoman@

atg.in.gov 

Todd Rokita, Indiana 

Attorney General v. 

Michael D. Lansky, 

LLC d/b/a Avid 

Telecom

Marion County 

Superior Court, State 

of Indiana

Cause No. 49D02-

2211-MI-037726

Petition to 

Enforce Civil 

Investigative 

Demand on 

behalf of the AntiRobocall 

Multistate 

Litigation Task 

Force

On behalf of the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force, the Attorney General 

of Indiana filed a petition to enforce the Civil Investigative Demand issued in August 

2022 to Michael D. Lansky, LLC d/b/a Avid Telecom. 

November 1, 2022: Verified Petition to Enforce Civil Investigative Demand

https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/INAG/2022/11/01/file_attachments/2315

945/Avid-%20Petition%20to%20Enforce%20-%2011-1.pdf 

March 2023: Petition against Avid Telecom voluntarily withdrawn. (See multistate 

enforcement action against Michael D. Lansky, LLC d/b/a Avid Telecom for 

continued action on this target below.)

The Attorney 

General of 

Indiana on behalf 

of the AntiRobocall 

Multistate 

Litigation Task 

Force. 

For Indiana:

Press Contact:

Benjamin Fearnow

(317) 941-4355

benjamin.fearnow@

atg.in.gov 

Staff Contact:

Joseph Yeoman

(317) 234-1912

joseph.yeoman@

atg.in.gov 
67 

State of Texas, et. al. v 

Rising Eagle Capital 

Group, LLC, et al.

United States District 

Court

Southern District of 

Texas

Case No. 4:20-cv-2021

Civil Lawsuit Multistate civil lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Texas by 

the eight Attorneys General of Texas, Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, North 

Carolina, North Dakota, and Ohio. 

Complaint alleged violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the 

Telemarketing Sales Rule and certain state laws.

The case has been resolved as to 5 of 8 defendants; the case remains pending against 

the following three remaining defendants: Health Advisors of America, Inc., Michael 

T. Smith, and Scott Shapiro. 

The matter is currently calendared for trial in August 2023. 

June 9, 2020: Complaint filed.

March 6, 2023: Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgment 

Against John C. Spiller, II entered.

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Files/Briefing-Room/News-Releases/ConsumerProtection/Spiller.aspx 

March 6, 2023: Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgment 

Against Jakob A. Mears entered.

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Files/Briefing-Room/News-Releases/ConsumerProtection/mears.aspx 

March 8, 2023 (sample national press): Court-Ordered Plan Raises Guardrails to 

Prevent Robocalls

https://transnexus.com/blog/2023/court-ordered-robocall-mitigation-plan/ 

August 2023: Case against remaining defendants calendared for August 2023.

The Attorneys

General of 

Texas, Arkansas, 

Indiana, 

Michigan, 

Missouri, North 

Carolina, North 

Dakota, and 

Ohio. 

For Arkansas:

Press Contact:

Jeff LeMaster

(501) 683-1532

jeff.lemaster@

arkansasag.gov 

Ryan James

(501) 682-8206

ryan.james@

arkansasag.gov 

Staff Contact:

Amanda Wentz

(501) 682-1178

Amanda.Wentz@

ArkansasAG.gov 

For Indiana:

Press Contact:

Benjamin Fearnow

(317) 941-4355

benjamin.fearnow@

atg.in.gov 

Staff Contact:

Joseph Yeoman

(317) 234-1912

joseph.yeoman@

atg.in.gov 

For Michigan:

Press Contact:

Danny Wimmer

(517) 335-7666

wimmerd2@

michigan.gov 

Staff Contact:

Kathy Fitzgerald

(517) 335-7632

fitzgeraldk@

michigan.gov 
68 

For Missouri:

Press Contact: 

Madeline Sieren

(573) 690-1205

Madeline.Sieren@

ago.mo.gov 

Staff Contact:

Michelle Hinkl

(314) 340-7961

Michelle.Hinkl@

ago.mo.gov 

For North Carolina:

Press Contact:

Nazneen Ahmed

(919) 716-0060

nahmed@ncdoj.gov

Staff Contact:

Tracy Nayer 

(919) 716-6000

tnayer@ncdoj.gov 

For North Dakota:

Press and Staff 

Contact:

Parrell Grossman

(701) 328-5570

pgrossman@nd.gov 

For Ohio:

Press Contact:

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@

OhioAGO.gov 

Staff Contact:

Erin Leahy 

(614) 752-4730

Erin.Leahy@

OhioAGO.gov 
69 

For Texas:

Press Contact:

Paige Willey

(512) 463-2100

Paige.willey@

oag.texas.gov

Staff Contact:

Wade Johnson

(512) 463-2100

Wade.Johnson@

oag.texas.gov 

 

NAAG Robocall 

Technologies 

Working Group

Ongoing 

Working Group

The Robocall Technologies Working Group is a collective of 49 states, led by the 

Attorney General of North Carolina, formed through the National Association of 

Attorneys General, which is focused on learning and sharing information about the 

logistics, players, and processes in and of the robocall ecosystem, identifying and 

sharing resources and tools to analyze and understand the same concerning 

investigations of entities in this ecosystem, and focusing on collective efforts and 

opportunities for advocacy. 

The NAAG Robocall Technologies Working Group consists of the 49 Attorneys 

General of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, 

District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, 

Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, 

Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, 

New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, 

Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, 

Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The Attorney 

General of North 

Carolina. 

For North Carolina:

Press Contact:

Nazneen Ahmed, 

(919) 716-0060 

nahmed@ncdoj.gov 

Staff Contact: 

Tracy Nayer

(919) 716-6000 

tnayer@ncdoj.gov 

State of Arizona, et. 

al., v. Michael D. 

Lansky, L.L.C., dba 

Avid Telecom, et al.

United States District 

Court

District of Arizona

Case No. 4:23-cv-233-

EJM

Civil Lawsuit Multistate Civil Lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Arizona by 49 Attorneys 

General.

Plaintiffs led by the Attorneys General of Arizona, Indiana, North Carolina, and Ohio.

Complaint alleged violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the 

Telemarketing Sales Rule and various state telephone privacy and telemarketing laws.

This was the first enforcement action that arose out of the investigative efforts of the 

51-member Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force.

May 23, 2023: Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial filed.

https://ncdoj.sharefile.com/share/view/sa41853ef76854db08d736e01aacb18a5 

The Attorneys

General of 

Arizona, Indiana, 

North Carolina, 

and Ohio.

For Arizona:

Press Contact:

Richie Taylor

(602) 542-7080

richie.taylor@

azag.gov

Staff Contact:

Laura Dilweg

(602) 542-3725

laura.dilweg@

azag.gov
70 

May 24, 2023 (sample national press): Telecom Company Sued by Nearly Every 

State Over Billions of Robocalls

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/05/24/avid-telecom-robocallslawsuit/ 

Nearly Every State and D.C. Sue Telecom Company Over Billions of Robocalls

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/robocalls-lawsuit-avid-telecom-nearly-every-us-statesues/ 

Company That Allegedly Sent Billions of Robocalls Sued by 49 Attorneys General

https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/23/business/robocall-lawsuit/index.html 

Nearly 50 State AGs Sue Company That Allegedly Facilitated Billions of Spam Calls

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/23/avid-telecom-facilitated-billions-of-spam-callsstate-ags-allege.html 

Plaintiffs are the 49 Attorneys General of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, 

Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, 

Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, 

Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, 

Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, 

North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, 

Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, 

and Wyoming. 

For Indiana:

Press Contact:

Benjamin Fearnow

(317) 941-4355

benjamin.fearnow@

atg.in.gov 

Staff Contact:

Joseph Yeoman

(317) 234-1912

joseph.yeoman@

atg.in.gov 

For North Carolina:

Press Contact:

Nazneen Ahmed

(919) 716-0060

nahmed@ncdoj.gov 

Staff Contact:

Tracy Nayer 

(919) 716-6000

tnayer@ncdoj.gov 

For Ohio:

Press Contact:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@

OhioAGO.gov 

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@

OhioAGO.gov 

Staff Contact:

Erin Leahy

(614) 752-4730

Erin.Leahy@

OhioAGO.gov 
71 

Reply Comments of 

Fifty-One (51) State 

Attorneys General, 

Advanced Methods to 

Target and Eliminate 

Unlawful Robocalls, 

CG Docket No. 17-59, 

Call Authentication 

Trust Anchor, WC 

Docket No. 17-97 

(Sept. 16, 2022)

Reply Comments Reply Comments supporting the Federal Communication Commission’s proposals to 

expand obligations to implement STIR/SHAKEN authentication protocols and specific 

mitigation efforts to all domestic intermediate providers.

September 16, 2022: Reply Comments of Fifty-One (51) State Attorneys General 

https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/10916815405552/1 

Signatories are the 51 Attorneys General of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, 

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, 

Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, 

Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, 

Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, 

North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, 

South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West 

Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 

The Attorneys

General of 

Alabama, 

Alaska, Arizona, 

Arkansas, 

California, 

Colorado, 

Connecticut, 

Delaware, 

District of 

Columbia, 

Florida, Georgia, 

Hawaii, Idaho, 

Illinois, Indiana, 

Iowa, Kansas, 

Kentucky, 

Louisiana, 

Maine, 

Maryland, 

Massachusetts, 

Michigan, 

Minnesota, 

Mississippi, 

Missouri, 

Montana, 

Nebraska, 

Nevada, New 

Hampshire, New 

Jersey, New 

Mexico, New 

York, North 

Carolina, North 

Dakota, Ohio, 

Oklahoma, 

Oregon, 

Pennsylvania, 

Rhode Island, 

South Carolina, 

South Dakota, 

Tennessee, 

Texas, Utah, 

Vermont, 

Virginia, 

Washington, 

West Virginia, 

Wisconsin, and 

For North Carolina:

Press Contact:

Nazneen Ahmed

(919) 716-0060

nahmed@ncdoj.gov 

Staff Contact:

Tracy Nayer 

(919) 716-6000

tnayer@ncdoj.gov 
72 

Wyoming.

Reply Comments of 

Fifty-One (51) State 

Attorneys General, 

Targeting and 

Eliminating Unlawful 

Text Messages, CG 

Docket No. 21-402 

(Dec. 9, 2022)

Reply Comments Reply Comments supporting the Federal Communication Commission’s proposals to 

require mobile wireless providers to block illegal text messages at the network level 

for those messages that purport to be from invalid, unallocated, or unused numbers, or 

from numbers on a Do-Not-Originate list.

December 9, 2022: Reply Comments of Fifty-One (51) State Attorneys General

https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/1209491030675/1 

Signatories are the 51 Attorneys General of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, 

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, 

Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, 

Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, 

Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, 

North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, 

South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West 

Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 

The Attorneys

General of 

Alabama, 

Alaska, Arizona, 

Arkansas, 

California, 

Colorado, 

Connecticut, 

Delaware, 

District of 

Columbia, 

Florida, Georgia, 

Hawaii, Idaho, 

Illinois, Indiana, 

Iowa, Kansas, 

Kentucky, 

Louisiana, 

Maine, 

Maryland, 

Massachusetts, 

Michigan, 

Minnesota, 

Mississippi, 

Missouri, 

Montana, 

Nebraska, 

Nevada, New 

Hampshire, New 

Jersey, New 

Mexico, New 

York, North 

Carolina, North 

Dakota, Ohio, 

Oklahoma, 

Oregon, 

Pennsylvania, 

Rhode Island, 

South Carolina, 

South Dakota, 

Tennessee, 

Texas, Utah, 

Vermont, 

Virginia, 

Washington, 

For Arkansas: 

Press Contact:

Jeff LeMaster

(501) 683-1532

jeff.lemaster@

ArkansasAG.gov 

Ryan James

(501) 682-8206

ryan.james@

ArkansasAG.gov 

Staff Contact:

Amanda Wentz

(501) 682-1178

Amanda.Wentz@

ArkansasAG.gov 

For North Carolina:

Press Contact:

Nazneen Ahmed

(919) 716-0060

nahmed@ncdoj.gov 

Staff Contact:

Tracy Nayer 

(919) 716-6000

tnayer@ncdoj.gov 

For Pennsylvania: 

Press Contact:

Brett Hambright

(717) 772-2995

bhambright@

attorneygeneral.gov 

Staff Contact:

Brandon Bingle

(814) 878-5858

bbingle@

attorneygeneral.gov 
73 

West Virginia, 

Wisconsin, and 

Wyoming. 

Reply Comments of 

28 State Attorneys 

General, Targeting 

and Eliminating 

Unlawful Text 

Messages, CG Docket 

No. 21-402, Rules and 

Regulations 

Implementing the 

Telephone Consumer 

Protection Act of 

1991, CG Docket No. 

02-278 (June 6, 2023)

Reply Comments Reply comments to the Federal Communications Commission recommending the 

clarification of rules concerning “prior express written consent” and supporting the 

improvement of consumer protections against unwanted text messages. 

June 6, 2023: Reply Comments of 28 State Attorneys General

https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/10606132348343/1 

Signatories are the Attorneys General of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, 

Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, 

Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire (added after 

filing), New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, 

Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, 

and Wyoming. 

The Attorneys

General of 

Alabama, 

Alaska, Arizona, 

California, 

Colorado, 

Connecticut, 

District of 

Columbia, 

Illinois, Maine, 

Maryland, 

Massachusetts, 

Michigan, 

Minnesota, 

Mississippi, New 

Hampshire 

(added after 

filing), New 

Jersey, North 

Carolina, North 

Dakota, Ohio, 

Oklahoma, 

Oregon, 

Pennsylvania, 

South Carolina, 

Tennessee, 

Vermont, 

Virginia, 

Washington, 

Wisconsin, and 

Wyoming.

For Ohio:

Press Contact:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@

OhioAGO.gov 

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@

OhioAGO.gov 

Staff Contact:

Erin Leahy

(614) 752-4730

Erin.Leahy@

OhioAGO.gov 

For Pennsylvania: 

Press Contact:

Brett Hambright

(717) 772-2995

bhambright@

attorneygeneral.gov 

Staff Contact:

Brandon Bingle

(814) 878-5858

bbingle@

attorneygeneral.gov
74 

Comments of 43 State 

Attorneys General, 

Telemarketing Sales 

Rule (16 C.F.R. Part 

310—NPRM), 

Project No. R411001, 

Comment ID FTC2022-0034-0020

Comments Comments supporting the Federal Trade Commission’s proposals to amend the 

Telemarketing Sales Rule in order to protect consumers and small businesses from 

abusive and/or deceptive telemarketing practices by requiring telemarketers and sellers 

to, among other things, maintain additional records of their telemarketing activities. 

August 2, 2022: Comments

https://downloads.regulations.gov/FTC-2022-0034-0020/attachment_1.pdf 

Signatories are the 43 Attorneys General of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, 

Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, 

Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, 

Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, 

New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, 

Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, 

Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 

 

The Attorneys

General of 

Alaska, Arizona, 

Arkansas, 

California, 

Colorado, 

Connecticut, 

District of 

Columbia, 

Delaware, 

Georgia, Hawaii, 

Idaho, Illinois, 

Iowa, Kansas, 

Kentucky, 

Louisiana, 

Maine, 

Maryland, 

Massachusetts, 

Michigan, 

Minnesota, 

Mississippi, 

Nebraska, 

Nevada, New 

Hampshire, New 

Jersey, New 

Mexico, New 

York, North 

Carolina, North 

Dakota, Ohio, 

Oklahoma, 

Oregon, 

Pennsylvania, 

Rhode Island, 

South Carolina, 

South Dakota, 

Tennessee, 

Vermont, 

Virginia, 

Washington, 

Wisconsin, and 

Wyoming.

For North Carolina:

Press Contact:

Nazneen Ahmed

(919) 716-0060

nahmed@ncdoj.gov 

Staff Contact:

Tracy Nayer 

(919) 716-6000

tnayer@ncdoj.gov

For Ohio:

Press Contact:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@

OhioAGO.gov 

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@

OhioAGO.gov 

Staff Contact:

Erin Leahy

(614) 752-4730

Erin.Leahy@

OhioAGO.gov 

For Pennsylvania: 

Press Contact:

Brett Hambright

(717) 772-2995

bhambright@

attorneygeneral.gov 

Staff Contact:

Brandon Bingle

(814) 878-5858

bbingle@

attorneygeneral.gov
75 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

ADDITIONAL STATE ACTIONS AND EVENTS

ALABAMA

Alabama Attorney 

General’s Office

Non-public matter.

Non-public 

Investigation

Investigation into potentially illegal robocalls being routed into the State of Alabama. Alabama 

Attorney 

General’s Office

Press Contact:

Amanda Priest

Communications 

Director

(334) 322-5694

Amanda.Priest@

AlabamaAG.gov 

Consumer Education:

Bryan Hilton

(334) 242-7320

Bryan.Hilton@

AlabamaAG.gov 

Staff Contact:

Lindsay S. Dawson

(334) 353-2609

Lindsay.Dawson@

AlabamaAG.gov 

ARIZONA

United States and 

State of Arizona v. 

Vision Solar LLC, et 

al.

United States District 

Court

District of Arizona

Case No. 2:23-cv01387-DGC

Civil Lawsuit July 14, 2023: Complaint for Permanent Injunction, Civil Penalties, and Other Relief 

and Demand for Jury Trial filed.

July 14, 2023: Joint Motion for Entry of Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction, 

Civil Penalty Judgment, and Other Relief as to Defendants Solar Xchange LLC and 

Mark Getts and Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction, Civil Penalty Judgment, 

and Other Relief as to Defendants Solar Xchange LLC and Mark Getts filed.

Case pending (as to Defendant Vision Solar LLC).

Arizona 

Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Federal Trade 

Commission, and 

U.S. Department 

of Justice

Press Contact:

Richie Taylor

(602) 542-7080

richie.taylor@

azag.gov

Staff Contact:

Laura Dilweg

(602) 542-3725

laura.dilweg@

azag.gov
76 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

CALIFORNIA

People v. Zovio, Inc. 

et al.

Superior Court of the 

State of California, 

County of San Diego

Case No. 37-2018-

00046134-CU-MCCTL

San Diego, California

Appeal of civil 

enforcement 

action.

Following a five-week trial, a state court sided with California finding that sales agents 

from the fraudulent, for-profit Ashford University (now, The University of Arizona 

Global Campus) made hundreds of thousands of false and misleading telemarketing 

statements to prospective students. The court’s judgment imposes over $22 million in 

civil penalties for violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law. On June 8, 

2022, Defendants appealed.

March 7, 2022: Attorney General Bonta: Ashford University Must Pay $22 Million 

in Penalties for Defrauding California Students

http://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-ashford-university-mustpay-22-million-penalties

Appeal currently pending.

California 

Attorney 

General’s Office

Walter Garcia 

Media Relations 

Manager

California 

Department of Justice

(213) 269-6134

Walter.Garcia@

doj.ca.gov 

People v. Four 

Individuals Associated 

with Student Loan 

Relief Department

Los Angeles, 

California

Criminal 

prosecution and 

plea.

California criminally charged four individuals with running a boiler room that preyed 

on borrowers struggling to repay their student loans. Defendants’ scheme relied on 

repeated telephonic solicitations to distressed borrowers to convince them to sign up 

for costly, but worthless, loan-payment reduction plans. Defendants pleaded guilty to 

various felony charges, including grand theft and unauthorized computer access, each 

serving custody and felony probation terms.

December 6, 2021: Attorney General Bonta Announces Sentencing for Student Loan 

Scam and Computer Crimes

http://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-announces-sentencingstudent-loan-scam-and-computer 

Formal probation completed May 8, 2023.

California 

Attorney 

General’s Office

Walter Garcia 

Media Relations 

Manager

California 

Department of Justice

(213) 269-6134

Walter.Garcia@

doj.ca.gov

People v. Curacao, et 

al.

Superior Court of the 

State of California, 

County of Los Angeles

Case No. BC680425

Los Angeles, 

California

Judgment in civil 

enforcement 

action.

Following a four-week trial, a state court sided with California finding that a Southern 

California retailer and its owner solicited and telemarketed illegal insurance through 

unlicensed, unqualified salespeople. The court’s judgment imposes nearly $8 million

in civil penalties for violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law.

February 1, 2023: Attorney General Bonta Secures Court Decision Against Los 

Angeles Retail Chain for Defrauding Customers

http://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-secures-court-decisionagainst-los-angeles-retail-chain 

Judgment entered January 30, 2023.

California 

Attorney 

General’s Office

Walter Garcia 

Media Relations 

Manager

California 

Department of Justice

(213) 269-6134

Walter.Garcia@

doj.ca.gov
77 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

District of Columbia 

Office of the Attorney 

General (OAG) 

Consumer Mediation 

Program

Consumer 

Mediation 

Program

OAG’s Consumer Mediation Program is a free service that helps consumers that have 

been taken advantage of by a business or landlord. OAG’s Office of Consumer 

Protection (OCP) mediates consumer complaints when the consumer is a DC resident, 

or when the business or landlord is located or headquartered in DC. The program can 

help mediate a wide variety of consumer issues—ranging from billing disputes, to 

disputes with landlords about security deposits and building amenities, to disputes with 

home improvement contractors about prices and performance, as well as financial 

scams and identity theft. OCP has been mediating consumer complaints since 2006.

OAG helps consumers that have been scammed by unwanted calls, text messages, and 

emails through its Consumer Mediation Program. OAG helps consumers try to 

recover money that was fraudulently transferred to scammers, helps consumers sign up 

for the Do Not Call Registry, and provides community education about spotting scams, 

stopping scams, and reporting scams. 

Consumers interested in submitting a complaint with the mediation program can do so 

by submitting a complaint online at https://oag.dc.gov/consumer-protection. If you are 

unable to file your complaint online, or need assistance, please call OAG’s Consumer 

Complaint Hotline at (202) 442-9828.

District of 

Columbia 

Attorney 

General’s Office

Press Secretaries:

Gabriel ShowglowRubenstein

gabriel.showglowrubenstein@dc.gov 

Marrisa Geller

marrisa.geller@

dc.gov

Staff Contact:

Emily Barth

(202) 741-0764

emily.barth@dc.gov 

OAG Comms

OAGcomms@dc.gov 

FLORIDA

Office of the Attorney 

General, State of 

Florida, Department 

of Legal Affairs v. 

Smartbiz Telecom 

LLC

United States District 

Court

Southern District of 

Florida

Case No. 1:22-cv23945

Civil Lawsuit: 

Alleged violations 

of the 

Telemarketing 

Sales Rule, 

Telephone 

Consumer 

Protection Act, 

and Florida’s 

Deceptive and 

Unfair Trade 

Practice Act.

Smartbiz, operating as a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone service, 

transmitted obviously fraudulent phone traffic, such as calls purporting to be from 911, 

and profited from illegal scam messages. 

December 5, 2022: Complaint filed.

https://www.myfloridalegal.com/files/pdf/page/DE8589ADA8B9DB738525890F0055

D5DA/Web+Link.pdf 

December 5, 2022: Court Action Against Company Sending Robocalls

https://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrelease/court-action-against-company-sendingrobocalls

Florida Attorney 

General’s Office

Press Contact:

Whitney Ray

(850) 245-0150 

Whitney.Ray@

myfloridalegal.com 

Kylie Mason

(850) 245-0150, 

Kylie.Mason@

myfloridalegal.com 

Staff Contact:

Patrick Crotty

Senior Assistant 

Attorney General

(813) 287-7950 

Patrick.Crotty@

MyFloridaLegal.com 
78 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

GEORGIA

Georgia Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer Protection 

Division

Consumer 

Education and 

Outreach

September 20, 2021: Attorney General Chris Carr Provides Update on Fight Against 

Robocalls

https://law.georgia.gov/press-releases/2021-09-20/attorney-general-chris-carrprovides-update-fight-against-robocalls 

Georgia 

Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Division

Press Contact:

Kara Richardson

(404) 458-3225 

kmrichardson@

law.ga.gov 

Georgia Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer Protection 

Division

Consumer 

Education and 

Outreach

November 16, 2022: CONSUMER ALERT: AG Carr and the Better Business Bureau 

Warn Georgians Not to Fall for a Utility Scam

https://consumer.georgia.gov/press-releases/2022-11-16/consumer-alert-ag-carr-andbetter-business-bureau-warn-georgians-not-fall 

Georgia 

Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Division

Press Contact:

Kara Richardson

(404) 458-3225 

kmrichardson@

law.ga.gov 

Georgia Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer Protection 

Division

Consumer 

Education and 

Outreach

January 31, 2022: Governor Kemp, Attorney General Carr, and the Georgia 

Department of Revenue Highlight Identity Theft Awareness Week

https://consumer.georgia.gov/press-releases/2022-01-31/governor-kemp-attorneygeneral-carr-and-georgia-department-revenue 

Georgia 

Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Division

Press Contact:

Kara Richardson

(404) 458-3225 

kmrichardson@

law.ga.gov 

Georgia Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer Protection 

Division

Consumer 

Education and 

Outreach

Web Article: What to Do if You’ve Lost Money in a Scam

https://consumer.georgia.gov/scams-what-do-if-youve-lost-money-scam

Georgia 

Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Division

Press Contact:

Kara Richardson

(404) 458-3225 

kmrichardson@

law.ga.gov 

Evergreen Publishing 

Group LLC, Readers 

Services, Inc. and, 

Chris Sidhilall

Settlement March 8, 2022: Carr Announces Settlement with Former Telemarketing Companies 

and Owner

https://consumer.georgia.gov/press-releases/2022-03-08/carr-announces-settlementformer-telemarketing-companies-and-owner 

Georgia 

Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Division

Press Contact:

Kara Richardson

(404) 458-3225 

kmrichardson@

law.ga.gov 
79 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

IDAHO

Idaho Attorney 

General’s Office

Consumer 

Education and 

Outreach

Attorney General warns Idahoans about robocalls regarding the federal Employee 

Retention Credit.

April 10, 2023: Consumer Alert: Tax Scams and Related Robocalls 

https://www.ag.idaho.gov/newsroom/consumer-alert-tax-scams-and-related-robocalls/ 

Idaho Attorney 

General’s Office

Press Contact:

Emily Kleinworth

(208) 334-2400

emily.kleinworth@

ag.idaho.gov 

Staff Contact:

Stephanie N. Guyon

Deputy Attorney 

General

(208) 334-4135

stephanie.guyon@

ag.idaho.gov

 

INDIANA

State of Indiana v. 

Greg Sheppard d/b/a 

Allstate, et al.

Civil Lawsuit February 25, 2020: The State of Indiana filed action against Greg Sheppard 

regarding robocalls sent to Hoosiers on the Indiana Do Not Call List. 

In April of 2023, the parties settled the matter via a consent decree. The settlement 

included a judgment of $30,000 and other injunctive terms.

April 25, 2023: Settlement entered and case closed.

Indiana Attorney 

General’s Office

Press Contact: 

Benjamin Fearnow

(317) 941-4355

benjamin.fearnow@

atg.in.gov 

Staff Contact:

Joseph Yeoman

(317) 234-1912

joseph.yeoman@

atg.in.gov 

 

State of Indiana v. 

Startel 

Communication LLC, 

et al.

United States District 

Court

Southern District of 

Indiana

Case No. 3:21-cv00150

Civil Lawsuit October 14, 2021: The State of Indiana filed an action against Startel Communication 

LLC, Wanda Hall, Abhijit Chowdhury, Piratel LLC, and Rapid Eagle Inc. dba VoIP 

Essential Inc. for allegedly violating the Telemarketing Sales Rule and various Indiana 

telephone privacy laws. 

As of April 2023, Indiana has settled with Startel Communication LLC, Wanda Hall, 

Piratel LLC, and Rapid Eagle Inc. dba VoIP Essential Inc. These settlements included 

a civil penalty and injunctive terms.

All settlements filed before April 25, 2023.

Sample press releases:

October 14, 2021: Attorney General Todd Rokita Files Lawsuit Against Alleged 

Robocalling Scammers

Press Contact: 

Benjamin Fearnow

(317) 941-4355

benjamin.fearnow@

atg.in.gov 

Staff Contact:

Joseph Yeoman

(317) 234-1912

joseph.yeoman@

atg.in.gov 

 
80 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

https://events.in.gov/event/attorney_general_todd_rokita_files_lawsuit_against_allege

d_robocalling_scammers 

March 30, 2022: Attorney General Todd Rokita Wins Historic Settlement to Combat 

Robocalls (Piratel Settlement) 

https://events.in.gov/event/attorney_general_todd_rokita_wins_historic_settlement_to

_combat_robocalls 

September 22, 2022: Attorney General Todd Rokita Wins Significant Victory as He 

Continues Fight Against Robocallers (Motion to Dismiss win)

https://events.in.gov/event/attorney_general_todd_rokita_wins_significant_victory_as

_he_continues_fight_against_robocallers 

March 30, 2022: Attorney General Todd Rokita Wins Historic Settlement to Combat 

Robocalls (Startel Settlement) 

https://events.in.gov/event/attorney_general_todd_rokita_wins_historic_settlement_to

_combat_robocalls 

MAINE

LD 396, An Act to 

Preserve the 207 Area 

Code and Impede Socalled Robocalling

Implementation 

of LD 396

June 8, 2023: Approved LD 396, An Act to Preserve the 207 Area Code and Impede 

So-called Robocalling

http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0247&item=3&snu

m=131 

June 27, 2023: Maine Law to Reduce Robocalling and Help Preserve Single Area 

Code

https://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=pucpressreleases&id=11346505&v=article088 

Implementation of LD 396 will take effect 90 days following the end of the 131st 

Maine Legislature. (Expected early October 2023.) 

Maine Public 

Utilities 

Commission

Press Contact:

Harry Lanphear

Administrative 

Director

(207) 557-3704

harry.lanphear@

maine.gov 

Staff Contact:

Michael Johnson

(207) 287-1572

Michael.r.johnson@

maine.gov 
81 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

MICHIGAN

People of the State of 

Michigan v. John 

Macauley Burkman 

and Jacob Alexander 

Wohl

Wayne County Circuit 

Court

No. 20-004636-01-FH

Michigan Supreme

Court No. 164638

Criminal Felony 

Charges

Defendants Burkman and Wohl are charged with using a robocall message in an 

attempt to deter persons of color from voting in the 2020 General Election; in violation 

of the Michigan voter-suppression law, MCL 168.932(a); a five-year felony, and other 

related charges. 

In June 2022, the Michigan Court of Appeals denied Defendants’ efforts to dismiss the 

charges on the bases that their robocall message was outside the scope of the voter 

suppression statute and their recorded message was constitutionally protected by the 

First Amendment; affirming the lower court ruling in favor of the People of the State 

of Michigan.

October 1, 2020: AG Nessel Files Felony Charges Against Jack Burkman, Jacob 

Wohl in Voter-Suppression Robocalls Investigation

https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2020/10/01/ag-nessel-files-felonycharges-against-jack-burkman-jacob-wohl 

November 2, 2022: The Michigan Supreme Court granted Defendants’ application 

for leave to appeal. A date for oral argument has not been set. 

Michigan 

Attorney 

General’s Office

Press Contact:

Danny Wimmer

(517) 335-7666

Staff Contact:

Danielle HagamanClark 

(313) 456-0204

Michigan Attorney 

General’s Office

Education

(Conference)

2022 Robocall 

Summit in 

Detroit

Conference on 

combatting 

robocalling cohosted by 

Michigan 

Attorney General 

Nessel and Ohio 

Attorney General 

Yost for law 

enforcement and 

industry/public. 

The second annual Robocall Summit was held in Detroit in July 2022. The conference 

provided educational materials to law enforcement and a separate public session 

addressing law enforcement/industry collaboration in combating robocalls.

June 29, 2022: AG Nessel, AG Yost to Host Second Robocall Summit with NAAG

https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2022/06/29/ag-nessel-ag-yost-tohost-second-robocall-summit-with-naag 

Michigan 

Attorney 

General’s Office

Press Contact:

Danny Wimmer

(517) 335-7666

Staff Contact:

Kathy Fitzgerald

(517) 335-7632
82 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

MINNESOTA

Minnesota Attorney 

General’s Office

Scam Robocall 

Tracking and 

Tracing Initiative

Ongoing Project The Office of the Minnesota Attorney General is engaged in an ongoing effort to track 

scam robocalls placed to Minnesotans and trace the calls back to their source in order 

to undertake and assist in anti-scam robocall law enforcement actions.

Minnesota 

Attorney 

General’s Office

Press Contact:

John Stiles

(651) 296-2069

john.stiles@

ag.state.mn.us

Staff Contact:

Bennett Hartz

(651) 757-1235

bennett.hartz@

ag.state.mn.us 

NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina v. 

Articul8, LLC, and 

Paul K. Talbot

United States District 

Court

Middle District of 

North Carolina

Case No. 1:22-cv00058

Civil Lawsuit Complaint filed in North Carolina federal court against Texas-based Gateway and 

Intermediate VoIP and its owner, claiming that Defendants assisted and facilitated 

violations of the federal Telemarketing Sales Rule and violated North Carolina’s 

Unfair or Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

January 25, 2022: Complaint for Injunctive Relief and Civil Penalties

https://ncdoj.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/FILED-Complaint_NC-v-Articul8_22-

cv-00058-MDNC-2022.pdf

January 25, 2022: Attorney General Josh Stein Sues “Gateway” Phone Company for 

Facilitating Illegal International Scam Calls

https://ncdoj.gov/attorney-general-josh-stein-sues-gateway-phone-company-forfacilitating-illegal-international-scam-calls/

January 25, 2022: Millions of Scams a Day: NC Robocalls Lawsuit Could Win 

Money for Victims

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article257705623.html 

February 28, 2022: Entry of Default.

Matter is ongoing.

North Carolina 

Attorney 

General’s Office

Press Contact:

Nazneen Ahmed

(919) 716-0060

nahmed@ncdoj.gov

Staff Contact:

Tracy Nayer 

(919) 716-6000

tnayer@ncdoj.gov 
83 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

OHIO

State of Ohio, ex rel.

Attorney General 

Dave Yost v. Aaron 

Michael Jones; Roy 

Melvin Cox Jr.; 

Stacey Eunjin Yim; 

Julie Kathryn Bridge; 

June Ann Batista; 

Jovita Migdaris 

Cedeno Luna; Livia 

Szuromi; Andrea 

Horvath; Technologic 

USA, Inc.; 

Technologic, Inc.; 

Connective MGMT 

Inc.; Virtual Telecom 

Inc.; Virtual Telecom 

Kft; Davis Telecom, 

Inc.; Davis Telecom, 

Inc.; Tech Direct 

LLC; Posting 

Express, Inc.; Sumco 

Panama USA; Sumco 

Panama SA.; Mobi 

Telecom LLC; Geist 

Telecom LLC; and 

Fugle Telecom LLC

United States District 

Court

Southern District of 

Ohio

Case No. 2:22-cv-2700

Civil Lawsuit July 7, 2022: Complaint filed alleging violations of Telephone Consumer Protection 

Act, Telemarketing Sales Rule, the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act and Ohio 

Telephone Solicitation Sales Act. 

Defendants include: Aaron Michael Jones, Roy M. Cox, Stacey Yim

July 7, 2022: Complaint for Permanent Injunction, Damages and Other Equitable 

Relief

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Files/Briefing-Room/News-Releases/TimeStamped-Complaint-22-CV-2700-State-of-Ohio-v.aspx

July 7, 2022: Yost Files Suit Alleging Massive Robocall Scheme - FCC Joins Fight in 

Related Action

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/July-2022/Yost-FilesSuit-Alleging-Massive-Robocall-Scheme-F

Sampling of news coverage: 

July 25, 2022: What Happens When Providers Don’t Stop Robocalls

https://transnexus.com/blog/2022/fcc-shuts-down-robocaller-and-providers/

August 18, 2022: A Monumental Case Looks to Crack Open the World of AutoWarranty Robocalls

https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/18/tech/auto-warranty-robocalls-case/index.html

Case is pending.

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@ 

OhioAGO.gov

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@ 

OhioAGO.gov

Staff Contacts:

Erin Leahy 

(614) 752-4730

Erin.Leahy@

OhioAGO.gov

Christopher Belmarez 

(614) 466-4455

Christopher.Belmarez

@OhioAGO.gov
84 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

In the Matter of: G4 

Telecom, Inc., and 

Joe Putegnat

Docket No. 599793

Assurance of 

Voluntary 

Compliance

Resolved alleged violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, Telemarketing 

Sales Rule, the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act and R.C. 109.87 against a voice 

service provider and its owner.

 

June 28, 2022: Assurance of Voluntary Compliance

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Files/Briefing-Room/News-Releases/ConsumerProtection/G4-Telecom-Inc-Assurance-Of-Voluntary-Compliance-(.aspx 

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@ 

OhioAGO.gov

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@ 

OhioAGO.gov

Staff Contacts:

Kevin Walsh 

(216) 787-3447

Kevin.Walsh@

OhioAGO.gov

Christopher Belmarez 

(614) 466-4455

Christopher.Belmarez

@OhioAGO.gov

In the Matter of: 

Smithkey Auto 

Industries, LLC and 

Trevor Smith 

Docket No. 603845

Assurance of 

Voluntary 

Compliance

Resolved alleged violations of the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act, its substantive 

rules, Ohio Administrative Code, Telephone Solicitation Sales Act and the 

Telemarketing Sales Rule against a seller/administrator of vehicle service contracts 

and its owner.

March 10, 2023: Assurance of Voluntary Compliance

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@ 

OhioAGO.gov

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@ 

OhioAGO.gov

Staff Contact:

Lisa Treleven

(513) 852-1527

Lisa.Treleven@

OhioAGO.gov
85 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

State of Ohio, ex rel.

Attorney General 

Dave Yost v. 

Affordable Car Cure, 

Inc.

Franklin County Court 

of Common Pleas

Case No. 21-cv-6712

Civil Lawsuit Complaint filed against seller of vehicle service contracts alleging violations of the 

Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act, its substantive rules, the Ohio Administrative 

Code, and the Ohio Telephone Solicitation Sales Act.

October 21, 2021: Complaint filed.

June 9, 2023: Final Judgment filed.

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@ 

OhioAGO.gov

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@ 

OhioAGO.gov

Staff Contact:

Christopher Ramdeen

(614) 995-1577

Christopher.Ramdeen

@OhioAGO.gov

State of Ohio, ex rel.

Attorney General 

Dave Yost v Vehicle 

Protection Specialists, 

LLC d/b/a Vehicle 

Services Center

Franklin County Court 

of Common Pleas

Case No. 21-cv-6713

Civil Lawsuit Complaint filed against seller of vehicle service contracts alleging violations of the 

Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act, its substantive rules, the Ohio Administrative 

Code, and the Ohio Telephone Solicitation Sales Act.

October 21, 2021: Complaint filed.

May 16, 2023: Final Judgment filed.

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@ 

OhioAGO.gov

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@ 

OhioAGO.gov

Staff Contact:

Christopher Ramdeen

(614) 995-1577

Christopher.Ramdeen

@OhioAGO.gov
86 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

State of Ohio, ex rel.

Attorney General 

Dave Yost v American 

Auto Repair 

Coverage, LLC. 

Franklin County Court 

of Common Pleas

Case No. 21-cv-6716

Civil Lawsuit Complaint filed against seller of vehicle service contracts alleging violations of the 

Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act, its substantive rules, the Ohio Administrative 

Code, and the Ohio Telephone Solicitation Sales Act.

October 21, 2021: Complaint filed.

January 26, 2023: Final Judgment filed.

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@ 

OhioAGO.gov

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@ 

OhioAGO.gov

Staff Contact:

Rosemary Rupert

(614) 752-5548

Rosemary.Rupert@ 

OhioAGO.gov

State of Ohio, ex rel.

Attorney General

Dave Yost v. Pelican 

Investment Holdings, 

LLC, Gustav C. 

Renny, Vajira 

Samararatne, Stacey 

E. Yim, Ronald D. 

Eddington, Jr., 

Joseph E. Hill, Jr., 

Dimension Service 

Corporation, 

Haytham H. Elzayn, 

Autoguard Advantage 

Corporation, National 

Administrative Service 

Co, LLC, Falcon 

Endeavors, and MB 

Holdings Group 

Franklin County Court 

of Common Pleas

Case No. 23-cv-0047 

Civil Lawsuit Complaint filed against 12 associated defendants soliciting the sale of vehicle service 

contracts in violation of the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act and Ohio Telephone 

Solicitation Sales Act.

January 4, 2023: Complaint and Request for Declaratory Judgment, Injunctive 

Relief, Civil Penalties, and Other Appropriate Relief filed.

January 5, 2023: AG Yost Slams the Door Shut on ‘Car Warranty’ Robocallers

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/January-2023/AG-YostSlams-the-Door-Shut-on-%E2%80%98Car-Warranty%E2%80%99-Robo

January 6, 2023: Ohio AG Cracks Down on ‘Car Warranty’ Robocallers

https://www.whio.com/news/local/ohio-ag-cracks-down-car-warrantyrobocallers/PEGK6DRFL5FALAHOAYT7ORAMHU/

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/ohio-ag-cracks-down-car-073406109.html

Case is pending.

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@ 

OhioAGO.gov

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@ 

OhioAGO.gov

Staff Contacts:

Lisa Treleven

(513) 852-1527

Lisa.Treleven@

OhioAGO.gov 

Kevin Walsh 

(216) 787-3447

Kevin.Walsh@

OhioAGO.gov
87 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

The National 

Association of 

Attorneys General 

Robocall Summit

July 12-13, 2022

Detroit, Michigan

Education

(Conference)

2022 Robocall 

Summit in 

Detroit

To assist in combatting the scourge of robocalls, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost 

and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel co-hosted the National Association of 

Attorneys General 2022 Robocall Summit in Detroit.

The July 12-13 Summit included staff from attorneys general, federal agencies, and 

private sector stakeholders from across the country as well as the Industry Traceback 

Group and the National Consumer Law Center. The first day was limited to 

government agencies; and the second was open to public attendees.

National 

Association of 

Attorneys 

General and the 

Attorneys 

General for 

Michigan and 

Ohio

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@

OhioAGO.gov 

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@

OhioAGO.gov 

Staff Contact:

Erin Leahy 

(614) 752-4730

Erin.Leahy@

OhioAGO.gov 

REDACTED

Owning Mills, 

Maryland

Warning Letter Issuance of Warning Letter to a voice service provider facilitating suspected illegal 

robocalls into the State of Ohio for possible violations of the Telemarketing Sales 

Rule, Ohio Revised Code 109.87, and Ohio’s Telephone Solicitation Sales Act. 

June 28, 2022: AG Yost Issues Warning to Companies Facilitating Potentially Illegal 

Robocalls 

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/June-2022/AG-YostIssues-Warning-to-Companies-Facilitating-P 

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@

OhioAGO.gov 

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@

OhioAGO.gov 

Staff Contact:

Erin Leahy 

(614) 752-4730

Erin.Leahy@

OhioAGO.gov 
88 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

REDACTED

Wilmington, Delaware

Warning Letter Issuance of Warning Letter to a voice service provider facilitating suspected illegal 

robocalls into the State of Ohio for possible violations of the Telemarketing Sales 

Rule, Ohio Revised Code 109.87, and Ohio’s Telephone Solicitation Sales Act. 

June 28, 2022: AG Yost Issues Warning to Companies Facilitating Potentially Illegal 

Robocalls

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/June-2022/AG-YostIssues-Warning-to-Companies-Facilitating-P

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@

OhioAGO.gov 

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@

OhioAGO.gov 

Staff Contact:

Erin Leahy 

(614) 752-4730

Erin.Leahy@

OhioAGO.gov 

REDACTED

Owning Mills, 

Maryland

Warning Letter Issuance of Warning Letter to a voice service provider facilitating suspected illegal 

robocalls into the State of Ohio for possible violations of the Telemarketing Sales 

Rule, Ohio Revised Code 109.87, and Ohio’s Telephone Solicitation Sales Act. 

June 28, 2022: AG Yost Issues Warning to Companies Facilitating Potentially Illegal 

Robocalls

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/June-2022/AG-YostIssues-Warning-to-Companies-Facilitating-P

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@

OhioAGO.gov 

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@

OhioAGO.gov 

Staff Contact:

Erin Leahy 

(614) 752-4730

Erin.Leahy@

OhioAGO.gov 
89 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

REDACTED

Wilmington, Delaware

Warning Letter Issuance of Warning Letter to a voice service provider facilitating suspected illegal 

robocalls into the State of Ohio for possible violations of the Telemarketing Sales 

Rule, Ohio Revised Code 109.87, and Ohio’s Telephone Solicitation Sales Act. 

June 28, 2022: AG Yost Issues Warning to Companies Facilitating Potentially Illegal 

Robocalls

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/June-2022/AG-YostIssues-Warning-to-Companies-Facilitating-P

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@

OhioAGO.gov 

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@

OhioAGO.gov 

Staff Contact:

Erin Leahy 

(614) 752-4730

Erin.Leahy@

OhioAGO.gov 

REDACTED

Lewes, Delaware

Warning Letter Issuance of Warning Letter to a voice service provider facilitating suspected illegal 

robocalls into the State of Ohio for possible violations of the Telemarketing Sales 

Rule, Ohio Revised Code 109.87, and Ohio’s Telephone Solicitation Sales Act. 

June 28, 2022: AG Yost Issues Warning to Companies Facilitating Potentially Illegal 

Robocalls

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/June-2022/AG-YostIssues-Warning-to-Companies-Facilitating-P

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@

OhioAGO.gov 

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@

OhioAGO.gov 

Staff Contact:

Erin Leahy 

(614) 752-4730

Erin.Leahy@

OhioAGO.gov 
90 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

REDACTED

Owning Mills, 

Maryland

Warning Letter Issuance of Warning Letter to a voice service provider facilitating suspected illegal 

robocalls into the State of Ohio for possible violations of the Telemarketing Sales 

Rule, Ohio Revised Code 109.87, and Ohio’s Telephone Solicitation Sales Act. 

June 28, 2022: AG Yost Issues Warning to Companies Facilitating Potentially Illegal 

Robocalls

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/June-2022/AG-YostIssues-Warning-to-Companies-Facilitating-P

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@

OhioAGO.gov 

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@

OhioAGO.gov 

Staff Contact:

Erin Leahy 

(614) 752-4730

Erin.Leahy@

OhioAGO.gov 

REDACTED

Philadelphia, 

Pennsylvania

Warning Letter Issuance of Warning Letter to a voice service provider facilitating suspected illegal 

robocalls into the State of Ohio for possible violations of the Telemarketing Sales 

Rule, Ohio Revised Code 109.87, and Ohio’s Telephone Solicitation Sales Act. 

June 28, 2022: AG Yost Issues Warning to Companies Facilitating Potentially Illegal 

Robocalls

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/June-2022/AG-YostIssues-Warning-to-Companies-Facilitating-P

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@

OhioAGO.gov 

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@

OhioAGO.gov 

Staff Contact:

Erin Leahy 

(614) 752-4730

Erin.Leahy@

OhioAGO.gov 
91 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

REDACTED

Mililani, Hawaii

Warning Letter Issuance of Warning Letter to a voice service provider facilitating suspected illegal 

robocalls into the State of Ohio for possible violations of the Telemarketing Sales 

Rule, Ohio Revised Code 109.87, and Ohio’s Telephone Solicitation Sales Act. 

June 28, 2022: AG Yost Issues Warning to Companies Facilitating Potentially Illegal 

Robocalls

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/June-2022/AG-YostIssues-Warning-to-Companies-Facilitating-P

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@

OhioAGO.gov 

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@

OhioAGO.gov 

Staff Contact:

Erin Leahy 

(614) 752-4730

Erin.Leahy@

OhioAGO.gov 

REDACTED

Long Beach, 

California

Warning Letter Issuance of Warning Letter to a voice service provider facilitating suspected illegal 

robocalls into the State of Ohio for possible violations of the Telemarketing Sales 

Rule, Ohio Revised Code 109.87, and Ohio’s Telephone Solicitation Sales Act. 

June 28, 2022: AG Yost Issues Warning to Companies Facilitating Potentially Illegal 

Robocalls

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/June-2022/AG-YostIssues-Warning-to-Companies-Facilitating-P

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@

OhioAGO.gov 

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@

OhioAGO.gov 

Staff Contact:

Erin Leahy 

(614) 752-4730

Erin.Leahy@

OhioAGO.gov 
92 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

REDACTED

Sheridan, Wyoming

Warning Letter Issuance of Warning Letter to a voice service provider facilitating suspected illegal 

robocalls into the State of Ohio for possible violations of the Telemarketing Sales 

Rule, Ohio Revised Code 109.87, and Ohio’s Telephone Solicitation Sales Act. 

June 28, 2022: AG Yost Issues Warning to Companies Facilitating Potentially Illegal 

Robocalls

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/June-2022/AG-YostIssues-Warning-to-Companies-Facilitating-P

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@

OhioAGO.gov 

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@

OhioAGO.gov 

Staff Contact:

Erin Leahy 

(614) 752-4730

Erin.Leahy@

OhioAGO.gov 

REDACTED

Tavares, Florida

Warning Letter April 18, 2023: Issuance of Warning Letter to a voice service provider facilitating 

suspected illegal robocalls into the State of Ohio for possible violations of the 

Telemarketing Sales Rule, Ohio Revised Code 109.87, and Ohio’s Telephone 

Solicitation Sales Act.

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@

OhioAGO.gov 

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@

OhioAGO.gov 

Staff Contact:

Kevin Walsh 

(216) 787-3447

Kevin.Walsh@

OhioAGO.gov
93 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

REDACTED

Carson, California

Warning Letter April 18, 2023: Issuance of Warning Letter to a voice service provider facilitating 

suspected illegal robocalls into the State of Ohio for possible violations of the 

Telemarketing Sales Rule, Ohio Revised Code 109.87, and Ohio’s Telephone 

Solicitation Sales Act.

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@

OhioAGO.gov 

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@

OhioAGO.gov 

Staff Contact:

Kevin Walsh 

(216) 787-3447

Kevin.Walsh@

OhioAGO.gov

REDACTED

Marlton, New Jersey

Warning Letter April 18, 2023: Issuance of Warning Letter to a voice service provider facilitating 

suspected illegal robocalls into the State of Ohio for possible violations of the 

Telemarketing Sales Rule, Ohio Revised Code 109.87, and Ohio’s Telephone 

Solicitation Sales Act.

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@

OhioAGO.gov 

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@

OhioAGO.gov 

Staff Contact:

Kevin Walsh 

(216) 787-3447

Kevin.Walsh@

OhioAGO.gov
94 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

REDACTED

Keansburg, New York

Warning Letter April 18, 2023: Issuance of Warning Letter to a voice service provider facilitating 

suspected illegal robocalls into the State of Ohio for possible violations of the 

Telemarketing Sales Rule, Ohio Revised Code 109.87, and Ohio’s Telephone 

Solicitation Sales Act.

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@

OhioAGO.gov 

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@

OhioAGO.gov 

Staff Contact:

Kevin Walsh 

(216) 787-3447

Kevin.Walsh@

OhioAGO.gov

REDACTED

Washington, District 

of Columbia

Warning Letter April 18, 2023: Issuance of Warning Letter to a voice service provider facilitating 

suspected illegal robocalls into the State of Ohio for possible violations of the 

Telemarketing Sales Rule, Ohio Revised Code 109.87, and Ohio’s Telephone 

Solicitation Sales Act.

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@

OhioAGO.gov 

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@

OhioAGO.gov 

Staff Contact:

Kevin Walsh 

(216) 787-3447

Kevin.Walsh@

OhioAGO.gov
95 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

REDACTED

New York, New York

Warning Letter April 18, 2023: Issuance of Warning Letter to a voice service provider facilitating 

suspected illegal robocalls into the State of Ohio for possible violations of the 

Telemarketing Sales Rule, Ohio Revised Code 109.87, and Ohio’s Telephone 

Solicitation Sales Act.

Ohio Attorney 

General’s Office, 

Consumer 

Protection 

Section

Press Contacts:

Bethany McCorkle

(614) 466-1339

Bethany.McCorkle@

OhioAGO.gov 

Hannah Hundley

(614) 728-7275

Hannah.Hundley@

OhioAGO.gov 

Staff Contact:

Kevin Walsh 

(216) 787-3447

Kevin.Walsh@

OhioAGO.gov

OREGON

State of Oregon v. US 

Air Ducts, et al. 

Circuit Court, State of 

Oregon, Multnomah 

County 

Case No. 19CV45061

Civil Lawsuit Oregon sued a group of related air duct cleaning companies that made over 11.5 

million robocalls to Oregon phone numbers in a two-year period, including over 7.7 

million calls to numbers on the Do Not Call Registry. Among other violations, the 

defendants also failed to identify the companies by name in calls - often generically 

referring to “the air duct company” - and failed to provide a method for consumers to 

opt out of future calls.

The State entered into a stipulated judgment with the companies’ owner and general 

manager which permanently prohibits them from robocalling Oregonians, or assisting 

others in doing so. 

The judgment further required defendants to pay $50,000 in restitution to Oregon 

consumers and a penalty of $5,150,000. The Oregon DOJ agreed not to collect the 

penalty subject to defendants’ compliance with the other judgment terms and 

defendants’ agreement not to own or operate a business in Oregon for up to 20 years 

unless the penalty is paid in full.

Settled.

Oregon 

Department of 

Justice

Press Contact:

Roy Kaufmann

(503) 378-6002

roy.kaufmann@

doj.state.or.us

Staff Contact:

Jordan Roberts

(503) 934-4400

jordan.m.roberts@

doj.state.or.us
96 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

PENNSYLVANIA

Commonwealth of 

Pennsylvania v. 

PalmCo Energy PA, 

LLC and PalmCo

Power PA, LLC d/b/a 

Indra Energy

Court of Common 

Pleas of Allegheny 

County, Pennsylvania

Assurance of 

Voluntary 

Compliance

The settlement resolved allegations that Respondents placed unwanted calls to 

consumers registered on the Do Not Call List and used deceptive lead generating 

methods to obtain consumer consent to be contacted for purposes of telemarketing, in 

violation of the Telemarketing Sales Rule and Pennsylvania’s Telemarketing 

Registration Act, and its Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.

June 30, 2022: AG Shapiro Secures Settlement with Indra Energy to Stop 

Telemarketing Violations

https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/ag-shapiro-secures-settlement-withindra-energy-to-stop-telemarketing-violations/ 

Pennsylvania 

Attorney 

General’s Office

Press Contact:

press@

attorneygeneral.gov 

Staff Contact:

Amy L. Schulman

Senior Deputy 

Attorney General

(412) 565-3523

aschulman@

attorneygeneral.gov

Commonwealth of 

Pennsylvania v. 

Fluent, Inc., Fluent 

LLC, d/b/a CAC, 

American Prize 

Center, LLC, 

Rewardzone USA, 

LLC and Samples & 

Savings USA, LLC

United States District 

Court 

Western District of 

Pennsylvania

Case No. 2:22-cv-1551

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking 

permanent 

injunctive relief, 

civil penalties and 

other

equitable relief. 

Alleged violations 

of Pennsylvania’s 

Unfair Trade 

Practices and 

Consumer 

Protection Law, 

73 P.S. § 201-1, et

seq., 

Pennsylvania’s 

Telemarketer

Registration Act, 

73 P.S. § 2241, et 

seq., and the 

Telemarketing 

Sales Rule.

Complaint and Consent Petition alleged Defendants assisted and facilitated violations 

of the TSR, by failing to obtain valid consent from consumers to receive telemarketing 

calls, including calls delivering prerecorded messages; and engaged in unfair and 

deceptive practices in order to obtain consumer consent in violation of Pennsylvania’s 

Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. 

November 2, 2022: Complaint filed in the United States District Court for the 

Western District of Pennsylvania.

November 3, 2022: PA Attorney General Files Suit Against NY-Based Fluent for 

Their Role in the Illegal Distribution of Robocalls to PA Consumers

https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/pa-attorney-general-files-suit-againstny-based-fluent-for-their-role-in-the-illegal-distribution-of-robocalls-to-pa-consumers/ 

May 18, 2023: Consent Petition entered into and approved by the Court.

May 19, 2023: AG Reaches Settlement with N.Y.-Based Company for Their Alleged 

Role in the Illegal Distribution of Millions of Telemarketing Calls to Pennsylvanians

https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/ag-reaches-settlement-with-n-y-basedcompany-for-their-alleged-role-in-the-illegal-distribution-of-millions-oftelemarketing-calls 

Pennsylvania 

Attorney 

General’s Office

Press Contact:

press@

attorneygeneral.gov 

Staff Contact:

Amy L. Schulman

Senior Deputy 

Attorney General

(412) 565-3523

aschulman@

attorneygeneral.gov
97 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

Commonwealth of 

Pennsylvania v. AGR 

Group Nevada, LLC 

and Utilities 

Marketing Group, 

LLC

Court of Common 

Pleas of Allegheny 

County, Pennsylvania

G.D. No. 23-006823

Assurance of 

Voluntary 

Compliance

The settlement resolved allegations that Respondents placed unwanted calls to 

consumers registered on the Do Not Call List and used deceptive lead generating 

methods to obtain consumer consent to be contacted for purposes of telemarketing, in 

violation of the Telemarketing Sales Rule and Pennsylvania’s Telemarketing 

Registration Act, and its Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.

June 6, 2023: Settlement Reached with Telemarketing Groups That Allegedly 

Trafficked Unwanted Calls

https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/settlement-reached-with-telemarketinggroups-that-allegedly-trafficked-unwanted-calls/ 

Pennsylvania 

Attorney 

General’s Office

Press Contact:

press@

attorneygeneral.gov 

Staff Contact:

Amy L. Schulman

Senior Deputy 

Attorney General

(412) 565-3523

aschulman@

attorneygeneral.gov

Commonwealth of 

Pennsylvania v. 

American Automotive 

Alliance, LLC

Court of Common 

Pleas of Erie County, 

Pennsylvania

Assurance of 

Voluntary 

Compliance

The settlement resolved allegations that Respondent engaged in deceptive business 

practices by, including but not limited to, placing unwanted robo-calls to consumers 

registered on the Do Not Call List without first obtaining consumers’ express consent, 

in violation of the Telemarketing Sales Rule and Pennsylvania’s Telemarketing 

Registration Act, and its Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.

June 6, 2023: Three Settlements with Telemarketers Who Allegedly Ignored PA “DoNot-Call” Lists Total Nearly $100k

https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/three-settlements-with-telemarketerswho-allegedly-ignored-pa-do-not-call-lists-total-nearly-100k/ 

Pennsylvania 

Attorney 

General’s Office

Press Contact:

press@

attorneygeneral.gov 

Staff Contact:

Merna Hoffman

Deputy Attorney 

General

(717) 497-7159

mhoffman@

attorneygeneral.gov 

Commonwealth of 

Pennsylvania v. AM 

Protection, Inc. & 

Mariam Nasrati

Court of Common 

Pleas of Allegheny 

County, Pennsylvania

G.D. No. 23-006976

Assurance of 

Voluntary 

Compliance

The settlement resolved allegations that Respondents engaged in deceptive business 

practices by, including but not limited to, placing unwanted robo-calls to consumers 

registered on the Do Not Call List without first obtaining consumers’ express consent, 

in violation of the Telemarketing Sales Rule and Pennsylvania’s Telemarketing 

Registration Act, and its Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.

June 6, 2023: Three Settlements with Telemarketers Who Allegedly Ignored PA “DoNot-Call” Lists Total Nearly $100k

https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/three-settlements-with-telemarketerswho-allegedly-ignored-pa-do-not-call-lists-total-nearly-100k/

Pennsylvania 

Attorney 

General’s Office

Press Contact:

press@

attorneygeneral.gov 

Staff Contact:

Merna Hoffman

Deputy Attorney 

General

(717) 497-7159

mhoffman@

attorneygeneral.gov
98 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

Commonwealth of 

Pennsylvania v. 

Mammoth Marketing 

Group, LLC

Court of Common 

Pleas of Westmoreland 

County, Pennsylvania

Assurance of 

Voluntary 

Compliance

The settlement resolved allegations that Respondent engaged in deceptive business 

practices by, including but not limited to, placing unwanted calls to consumers 

registered on the Do Not Call List without first obtaining consumers’ express consent, 

in violation of the Telemarketing Sales Rule and Pennsylvania’s Telemarketing 

Registration Act, and its Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.

June 6, 2023: Three Settlements with Telemarketers Who Allegedly Ignored PA “DoNot-Call” Lists Total Nearly $100k

https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/three-settlements-with-telemarketerswho-allegedly-ignored-pa-do-not-call-lists-total-nearly-100k/

Pennsylvania 

Attorney 

General’s Office

Press Contact:

press@

attorneygeneral.gov 

Staff Contact:

Merna Hoffman

Deputy Attorney 

General

(717) 497-7159

mhoffman@

attorneygeneral.gov

TENNESSEE

Tennessee Attorney 

General’s Office

Consumer 

Education and 

Outreach

Scams Stop Here Presentations:

 FiftyForward Knowles Senior Center, Nashville, TN (Aug. 17, 2022)

 Meigs County Senior Center, Decatur, TN (Aug. 30, 2022)

 J.D. Lewis Senior Center of Houston County, Erin, TN (Aug. 31, 2022)

 Ajax Turner Senior Citizen’s Center, Clarksville, TN (Sep. 21, 2022)

 Sevier Co. Senior Information Fair, Sevierville, TN (Sep. 23, 2022)

 Senior Citizen’s Center of Hendersonville, Hendersonville, TN (Nov. 7, 2022)

 St. Clair Street Senior Center, Murfreesboro, TN (Nov. 9, 2022)

 APS W/TN Services Cluster Meeting, Jackson, TN (Dec. 6, 2022)

Scams Presentation for Older Adults:

 Adams Place Assisted Living Facility, Murfreesboro, TN (Jan. 4, 2023)

 Dyer County Senior Center, Dyersburg, TN (Mar. 22, 2023)

Tennessee 

Attorney 

General’s Office

Claire Marsalis

Director, Division of 

Consumer Affairs

claire.marsalis@

ag.tn.gov 

Austin C. Ostiguy 

Assistant Attorney 

General

(615) 532-7271

austin.ostiguy@

ag.tn.gov 

UTAH

In the Matter of: 

Karabell Industries, 

LLC, and Eli 

Benjamin Karabel

Salt Lake City, Utah

DCP Legal File No. 

CP-2022-065

Administrative 

Action

Alleging unregistered telephone solicitations, unsolicited solicitations to Utah 

telephone numbers contained in the national Do Not Call Registry, and 

misrepresentations in connection with a telephone solicitation.

Respondent ordered to cease and desist violations of the Telephone and Facsimile 

Solicitation Act and the Telephone Fraud Prevention Act and pay a fine of 

$720,750.00. Utah Code §§ 13-11-25a, et seq., 13-11-26, et seq.

February 16, 2023: Order entered.

Utah Division of 

Consumer 

Protection

Press and Staff 

Contact:

Utah Division of 

Consumer Protection

consumerprotection@

utah.gov 

(801) 530-6601

 
99 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

In the Matter of: Salt 

City Home Buyers, 

LLC

Salt Lake City, Utah

DCP Legal File No. 

CP-2023-018

Settlement 

Agreement

Alleging unregistered telephone solicitations, unsolicited solicitations to Utah 

telephone numbers contained in the national Do Not Call Registry, and 

misrepresentations in connection with a telephone solicitation.

Settlement agreement requires respondent to cease unregistered telephone solicitations, 

cease solicitations to Utah telephone numbers in the national Do Not Call Registry, 

cease violations of any statute enforced by the Utah Division of Consumer Protection, 

and pay a fine of $11,400.00. Utah Code §§ 13-2-1, 13-11-25a, et seq., 13-11-26, et 

seq.

April 3, 2023: Settlement executed.

Utah Division of 

Consumer 

Protection

Press and Staff 

Contact:

Utah Division of 

Consumer Protection

consumerprotection@

utah.gov 

(801) 530-6601

 

In the Matter of:

Flash Home Buyers, 

LLC, and Matthew 

Sandgren

Salt Lake City, Utah

DCP Legal File No. 

CP-2022-044

Settlement 

Agreement

Alleging unregistered telephone solicitations and an unsolicited solicitation to a Utah 

telephone number contained in the national Do Not Call Registry.

Settlement agreement requires respondent to cease unregistered telephone solicitations, 

cease solicitations to Utah telephone numbers in the national Do Not Call Registry, 

cease violations of any statute enforced by the Utah Division of Consumer Protection, 

and pay a fine of $2,500.00. Utah Code §§ 13-2-1, 13-11-25a, et seq., 13-11-26, et seq.

August 31, 2022: Settlement executed.

Utah Division of 

Consumer 

Protection

Press and Staff 

Contact:

Utah Division of 

Consumer Protection

consumerprotection@

utah.gov 

(801) 530-6601

 

VERMONT

Strategic IT Assurance of 

Discontinuance

Assurance of Discontinuance filed.

Strategic IT, a host of fraudulent robocalls as identified by ITG (Industry Traceback 

Group), agreed to prescreen and monitor its robocall traffic.

Vermont 

Attorney 

General’s Office

Press Contact:

Lauren Jandl

Chief of Staff 

lauren.jandl@

vermont.gov 

Staff Contact:

Jamie Renner

Assistant Attorney 

General

Jamie.renner@

vermont.gov 
100 

Matter Name

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible 

Agency

Press Contact

Staff Contact

State of Vermont v. 

Dominic Bohnett, 

Telecom Carrier 

Access, LLC d/b/a 

TCA VOIP, and 

Telecom Carrier 

Access, Inc. d/b/a 

TCA VOIP

(TCA VOIP)

United States District 

Court

District of Vermont

Case No. 5:22-cv00069-gwc

Civil Lawsuit Action against TCA VOIP and its owner (the fourth largest source of fraudulent calls 

as measured by ITG tracebacks) under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, 

Telemarketing Sale Rule, and Vermont Consumer Protection Act. 

March 18, 2022: Complaint filed. 

March 18, 2022: AG Donovan Sues Illegal Robocall Carrier TCA VOIP

https://ago.vermont.gov/blog/2022/03/18/ag-donovan-sues-illegal-robocall-carrier-tcavoip 

December 14, 2022: Stipulated Judgment Order filed.

Settled. TCA VOIP and its owner agreed to close its business and to stay out of 

ownership positions in robocall operations.

Vermont 

Attorney 

General’s Office

Press Contact:

Lauren Jandl

Chief of Staff 

lauren.jandl@

vermont.gov 

Staff Contact:

Ted Hobson

Assistant Attorney 

General

(802) 863-2000

ted.hobson@

vermont.gov 

WEST VIRGINIA

West Virginia 

Attorney General’s 

Office

Charleston, West 

Virginia

Investigation August 29, 2022: Issued a Traceback request to USTelecom to gather information on 

entities alleged to host robocall telephone traffic.

West Virginia 

Attorney 

General’s Office

Staff Contact:

Ann Haight 

(304) 558-8986

Ann.L.Haight@

wvago.gov 

Ashley Wentz

(304) 558-8986

Ashley.T.Wentz@

wvago.gov 

WISCONSIN

Wisconsin 

Department of 

Agriculture, Trade 

and Consumer 

Protection (DATCP)

Consumer 

Education and 

Outreach

Between July 2022 and July 2023, DATCP has given 152 presentations where it

specifically educated consumers on the use of robocalls to perpetrate scams and fraud. 

Wisconsin 

Department of 

Agriculture, 

Trade and 

Consumer 

Protection 

(DATCP)

Press Contact:

Caleb Kulich

(608) 621-1290

caleb.kulich@

wisconsin.gov

Staff Contact:

Nicole Raisbeck

(608) 224-4991

nicole.raisbeck@

wisconsin.gov