Members of the group allegedly had posed over the phone as customs officers and Internal Revenue Service agents. In a related move, the U.S. attorney in Seattle charges a company with fraud. In April 2000, Canadian Brent Boyd pleads guilty in federal court in Vermont and is sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in a gemstone telemarketing scam aimed at Americans.
Authorities say scheme operators vastly overstated the gems' quality and value.
Customs issues a warning to Arizona residents in December 2000 after telephone con artists tell elderly residents they have won a sweepstakes in Canada and ask for money to cover customs duties. Customs officials and Alaska Attorney General Bruce Botelho issue a warning to state residents. Copyright 2001, The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP Online news report may not be published, broadcast or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Please read it.