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Canadian Man Guilty of Telemarketing Fraud
BOSTON, MA—United States Attorney Michael K. Loucks and Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Boston Field Division, announced tody that DANIEL KATONA, 45, of Montreal, Canada, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Patti B. Saris to conspiracy to commit telemarketing fraud.
At today’s plea hearing, the prosecutor told the Court that had the case proceeded to trial the Government’s evidence would have proven that KATONA participated in a long running scheme to trick victims in the United States and Great Britain into believing that the victims had won large lottery prizes that could only be released once the victim prepaid a tax or fee. Victims were directed to send money to Canada in order to redeem their prizes and were warned to keep the winnings strictly confidential or risk forfeiting the prize. Altogether, the conspiracy defrauded U.S. citizens of more than $2.5 million.
Judge Saris scheduled sentencing for December 14, 2009. KATONA faces up to five years imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
KATONA was extradited from Canada for purposes of this prosecution.
The case was investigated by Project Colt, a cross border law enforcement telemarketing initiative based in Montreal including the participation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other federal agencies and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori J. Holik of Loucks’ Economic Crimes Unit. Press Releases | Boston Home
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