Fraudster, Shamoon Rafiq, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud after a scheme to sell fake pre-IPO equity in Airbnb. Questions: Source: Goswami, R. (2024). Fraudster who peddled fake pre-IPO Airbnb stock falsely claimed to represent Egypt’s Mansour family. CNBC.com, Feb. 27 (Retrievable online at https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/27/fraudster-impersonated-mansour-family-to-peddle-fake-airbnb-equity.html)
Posts Tagged: Fraud
Harvard Business School Graduate Levies Ponzi Scheme Aimed at Alums
According to CNBC, Harvard Business School graduate, Vladimir Artamonov lured fellow alumni into a Ponzi investment scheme. Questions: Source: Nova, A. (2024) Harvard Business School grad’s Ponzi scheme swindled alums out of $2.9 million, New York attorney general says. CNBC.com, Feb. 29 (Retrievable online at https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/29/harvard-business-school-grad-allegedly-swindled-alums-with-ponzi-scheme.html)
Meta Vows to Label AI
According to ABC News, Meta will begin labeling images created by artificial intelligence products. Questions: Source: Staff (2024). Meta will begin labeling AI-generated images, citing ‘blurred’ reality online. ABC News, Feb 6 (Retrievable online at https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/meta-will-begin-labeling-ai-generated-images-citing-blurred-reality-online/ar-BB1hS8ho)
Beware Evil-Doers!
IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel said Monday in a letter to leaders of the Senate Finance Committee that the agency would renew its effort to crack down on predatory (or bad) preparers. Questions: Source: Weil, J. (2023). IRS vows to crack down on predatory preparers, change audit strategy. The Washington Post, Sep. 18 (Retrievable online at… Read more »
Crackdown on COVID frauds
In the last week, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it has cracked down on 3,195 individuals that have fraudulently obtained pandemic relief funds. Questions: Source: Fowle, D. (2023). Justice Department arrests nearly 3,200 for COVID relief-related fraud. Fox News, August 30 (Retrievable online at https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/justice-dept-arrests-nearly-3200-people-for-covid-related-fraud-murder-for-hire-plot-interrupted)
Would you Take a Chance on Fyre Festival 2?
According to the New York Times, Billy McFarland is out of jail and selling tickets to Fyre Festival 2. Questions: Bernstein, J. (2022). Billy McFarland Is Out of Jail and Ready for His Next Move. The New York Times, September 14 (Retrievable online at https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/10/fashion/billy-mcfarland-release.html) Zahn, M. and L. Barr. (2023). Fyre Festival 2 tickets… Read more »
Judge Vacates Conviction for Bribery Fraud Regarding Lucrative Rights To View Soccer Tournaments
According to the New York Times, Hernán López, a former Fox employee, and an Argentine sports marketing company had been convicted of participating in a bribery scheme to secure rights to widely viewed soccer tournaments. Now an acquittal. Questions: Meko, H. and K. Bensinger. (2023). Judge Vacates Convictions in Bribery Case Over Soccer Broadcast Deals…. Read more »
Rite Aid – A Rocky Road Ahead
According to CNN, Rite Aid shares slid lower as the pharmacy chain prepared bankruptcy filings this week while dealing with lawsuits over the sale of opioids. Questions: Source: Goodkind, R. (2023) Rite Aid stock is experiencing extreme turbulence: Here’s why. CNN, August 28 (Retrievable online at https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/28/investing/rite-aid-stock-bankruptcy/index.html)
Ponzi Schemer Resurfaces
According to the New York Post, a Colorado conman who escaped from a federal prison in Colorado in 2018 was rearrested in Florida, living in a luxurious $1.5 million mansion. Questions: Source: Reyes, R. (2023) Colorado conman who escaped fed prison caught living lavishly in $1.5M Florida mansion. The New York Post, Aug. 3 (Retrievable… Read more »
Albemarle purports to have violated Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)
According to the Wall Street Journal, well-known chemical manufacturer, Albemarle, reached an agreement in principle with U.S. authorities to pay a $218.5 million fine to resolve an investigation into potential improper payments by third-party sales representatives. Questions: Source: Tokar, D. (2023). Albemarle to Pay $218.5 Million to Settle Foreign Bribery Probe. The Wall Street Journal,… Read more »