Thursday, May 31, 2012

Psychopaths and sociopaths 1

One of the big advantages of having your own blog is the ability to write pretty much what you want without having to worry about an "editor" hanging over your shoulder.  I started this blog, and continue to update it, to provide a service to interested readers about the dangers of fraud and how it affects our lives. 

     Most of my articles link to other articles or they are taken directly from sources.  But, today, I am going to take a hiatus from this approach and spend the next couple of weeks just writing some random thoughts about the kind of people that perpetuate fraud.

     I have enough experience in this field now to recognize some of the behavior of fraudsters.  It has almost gotten to the point that I can identify a fraudster from not only the way he acts, but his disposition and treatment of other people.  This does not mean, of course, that I can "spot" a fraudster.  However, once I have identified who is a fraudster from other sources, his behavior patterns become apparent.

    In no great leap of logic or analysis, I concluded, along with others, that many fraudsters exhibit psychopathic and sociopathic behavior tendencies.  I find this kind of thing fascinating.  So, for the next two weeks or so, please join me as we talk about the psychopathic and sociopathic tendencies of fraudsters.

     Keep in mind that I am neither a psychiatrist nor a psychologist.  But, just as one does not have to be a meteorologist to have an opinion on "climate change," one does not have to be a mental health professional to be able to comment on the behavior of people.


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk


Wednesday, May 30, 2012

More psychic fraud....

Since we are on the subject, here is some more fun...

http://guyism.com/celebrities/the-5-most-fraudulent-psychics-of-all-time.html


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

"Psychic" fraudsters call for help!

You seriously can't make up this stuff....

http://doubtfulnews.com/2012/05/accused-psychic-family-appeal-to-stars-of-a-different-sort/


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Monday, May 28, 2012

Education Fraud in the Northern District of Texas

Education fraud in Dallas.

http://www.examiner.com/article/disd-accuses-florida-based-company-of-fraud


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Medicare Fraud Trial in Houston

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Trial-opens-in-Medicare-fraud-case-against-3575061.php


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Saturday, May 26, 2012

More fraud in the Southern District of Texas

More fraud in the Southern District of Texas

http://www.justice.gov/usao/txs/1News/Releases/2012%20May/120524%20Alanis.html


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Friday, May 25, 2012

Medical Fraud in the Southern District of Texas

Medical Fraud in the Texas Southern District

http://www.justice.gov/usao/txs/1News/Releases/2012%20May/120524%20Gibson%20and%20Edem.html


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

More Immigration Fraud IX

Well, we can't leave this subject without talking about an unfortunate incident which occurred a few years ago.

     Due to a glitch by the computers at the Department of State, some entrants into the DV lottery were told that they won, when they actually had not.  Some sold all their possessions and were ready for a new start in America.......when the word came down that they had not won at all, there was a glitch and while the DOS was sorry, there was nothing that could be done about it.

     There was a lawsuit that was thrown out of court and these poor people had their hopes jump for nothing.

     As stated, this does not fall into the "fraud" category.  These individuals were not the victim of a scam or fraud, just bad luck.  It is a heartbreaking story, but one in which there are no real perpetuators of a crime.

     It is, as stated, another example of bad luck which affects all of our lives from time to time.

Here is the WIKI article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_Immigrant_Visa


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

More Immigration Fraud VIII

OK - we've covered the fraud that occurs when people they are told that they won the DV lottery.  As we have seen, this fraud involves the fraudster either charging the DV player that there is some kind of entrance fee to play in the first place, or telling the DV player AFTER they won that they need to pay some kind of fee.  And, of course, the most cruel of all, telling the DV player that he won (when he actually did not) and collects a fee anyway. 

     The moral of this story, of course, is that the only correct source of information is the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the player's country and, by derivation, the United States Department of State or a qualified United States Immigration attorney.  Every other source of information should be suspect.

     Remember - the DV lottery is like any other lottery in that the chances of winning are slim.  But, that does not mean you should not play.  If a third party is offering something for a fee (other than a qualified U.S. Immigration lawyer), something is wrong.


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Monday, May 21, 2012

More Immigration Fraud VII

A final example of fraud involving the DV lottery.

     Winners have to process their applications through the U.S. Embassy in their home country (unless the DV winners are re-routed to another embassy or if the U.S. does not have diplomatic relations with the winning country, they are re-routed to another embassy that is close to the country).

    Certain "services" will offer to process the application through the embassy (for a fee of course).  These services are invariably bogus - remember, all DV processing goes through the United States Department of State (through the U.S. embassy in the person's country).  The ONLY fees are through the Department of State and other fees will NOT be assessed.

    Note, by the way, that this is not the same thing as legitimate Immigration attorneys offering their services to DV winners.  Even with the State Department handling DV winners, sometimes the results can be confusing.  Legitmate Immigration attorneys (licensed in the U.S.) will offer their services and can be of help.  This is NOT the same thing as fraudsters offering bogus services that are not needed.


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Interludes - Bank Fraud in the Southern District

Bank Fraud in the Southern District of Texas.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/txs/1News/Releases/2012%20May/120518%20Herrod.html


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk


Saturday, May 19, 2012

More Immigration Fraud VI

In one respect, the fraud committed upon DV lottery participants is common to all immigration fraud  - people are being taken advantage of when they are most vulnerable.

     Moving to another country to start a new life does not happen because someone is bored or has nothing better to do with his time.  When someone decides they want to move to another country, permanently, it is usually because life in their own country has become intolerable.  Moving to a new country means learning a new way of life, adapting to new customs and sometimes learning a new language.  It is not easy.

     For DV lottery participants, it is even harder.  Usually people who enter the DV lottery have no other way of immigrating to the U.S.  They are placing their hopes and dreams in one place.  When they are told they won, therefore, even if it from a source that might seem strange (for example, from a website that is not linked to the U.S. Embassy), they are willing to suspend their disbelief.  Fraudsters are experts at playing on peoples' emotions, especially when they are hoping beyond hope.


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Friday, May 18, 2012

More Immigration Fraud V

Another issue with the DV lottery that occurs is when the people who play the lottery receive false news that they have "won."

     Unfortunately, many people will advertise that they played the DV lottery.  There are always fraudsters who will wait in the wings, take down the information of the people who played the lottery and then send them a notice that they "won."  In the age of the Internet, of course, this is much easier to accomplish.

     These fraudsters will send a notice to the players that they "won."  Of course, the person receiving this information is also told that they must pay a "fee" to ensure that they can collect their winnings (or, in this case, to get the "Green Card."  The person will send in the fee to the fraudsters, and then of course be left with nothing.

     Remember, the only guaranteed sources of information on the DV lottery, or any immigration program for that matter, is from the USCIS, United States Department of State, or a qualified U.S. Immigration attorney.


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Thursday, May 17, 2012

More Immigration Fraud IV

OK - re-read the description of the DV lottery again if you have the chance.  Notice that the individuals who are eligible to play the DV lottery are individuals from countries that have been historically under-represented in the United States.  This means that for citizens of countries such as Mexico and other countries (some of which come and go off the list), they are not eligible for the DV lottery.

     So, another type of fraud which unfortunately occurs in these matters is for citizens of countries like Mexico, which are unable to enter the DV lottery, to be offered chances to play.  Of course, these "opportunities" come with the required "entrance fee" which, as we discussed, is not required for lottery players.

     So, once again, it is important to get the sources of information regarding the DV lottery, and all immigration materials for that matter, from the appropriate U.S. agencies only or from a qualified Immigration Attorney who practices law in the United States (or an Immigration Attorney who has passed the bar of a state in the United States and resides outside the United States).  The two main recognized sources for Immigration Law from United States authorities are:

1.  The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS")
2.  The United States Department of State

    Be very careful about accepting any advice from other sources. 


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

More Immigration Fraud III

OK - so we have read up on the Diversity Lottery.  It is a way for peoples who have been historically underrepresented in the United States to get Lawful Permanent Residence (aka "Green Card") in the U.S.  Normally, this is done through employment based immigration or family based immigration.  This is another way to get a Green Card.  Interestingly enough, I used to work at this program when I was stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and personally, I have known a few winners of this lottery as well (and they are few and far between).

     So, how is this unique program subject to fraud?  Well, one of the easiest examples is that fraudsters will go online and charge people "registration fees" for this lottery.  Even worse, some people are charged "lifetime registration fees."

     As a cursory reading of the DV lottery suggests, there is no fee to enter this lottery.  The only fees and expenses are after the person wins.  Anyone who is charging a fee to "enter" someone in this lottery, therefore, is scamming people.  And, unfortunately, as we will see, this is only the tip of the iceberg.


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Monday, May 14, 2012

More Immigration Fraud II

Before we talk about fraud in the Diversity Lottery, let' s define what it is.  Our old pal Wikipedia is up to the task:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_Immigrant_Visa


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk


Sunday, May 13, 2012

More Immigration fraud I

OK - back to a thread.

     I have posted before about Immigration fraud.  For the next few posts, we will be discussing a very specific type of Immigration fraud - diversity visa fraud.

    This type of fraud is directed towards people who enter the Diversity Lottery in hopes of getting Lawful Permanent Residence in the U.S. (aka a "Green Card").   As with all lotteries, the chances of winning are slim, but like all lotteries, if you don't play, your chances of winning is zero.

     So, let's spend some time talking about scammers who prey upon people who are trying to get to the U.S. in a very unlikely way.  The rules for the Green Card lottery are straightforward and they don't cost anything for people who wish to participate.

     However, where people are trying to hope for the best, there are always thos who will try and scam money from them.


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Interludes 11 - Fall of a Giant

This is not exactly fraud, but a topic we will be exploring at some point in the future - massive losses by banks because of unethical, illegal or, at the very least, sloppy trades.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/black-mark-survivor-financial-crisis-150826628--finance.html


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Interludes 11 - Another Fraud in the Southern District

More examples of fraud:

http://www.justice.gov/usao/txs/1News/Releases/2012%20January/120127%20Alaniz.html


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Interludes 10 - Fraud in Religion

We have covered this topic before, but once again, fraud takes all forms.  Someone using relgion as a cover to carry on a Ponzi scheme is not new.

http://news.yahoo.com/ephren-taylor-accused-11-million-christian-ponzi-scheme-155327895--abc-news-topstories.html


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Interludes 9 - "Psychic" fraud

Yet another reason why you should never trust a "psychic:"

http://doubtfulnews.com/2012/05/never-trust-a-psychic-san-jose-woman-guilty-of-felony-charge/


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Monday, May 7, 2012

Interludes 8 - Disaster Relief Fraud

A man in Conroe, Texas, is charged with fraud relating to disaster relief programs.


http://www.justice.gov/usao/txs/1News/Releases/2012%20May/120507%20Dinkins.html


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Interludes 7 - Insurance Fraud

Insurance fraud in the Southern District of Texas

http://www.justice.gov/usao/txs/1News/Releases/2011%20June/110617%20Alcala%20et%20al.htm


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Interludes 6 - Con Artists Hypnotizing People?

Hypnosis or just a good con?

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/05/04/boston-police-warn-of-hypnosis-scam-in-chinatown/


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Friday, May 4, 2012

Interludes 5 - Oil Kickback Scheme

Oil Kickback Scheme Fraud in the Southern District of Texas

http://www.justice.gov/usao/txs/1News/Releases/2012%20April/120427%20Langley%20and%20Meltzer.html


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Interludes - 4 Accused of Medicare Fraud

Four people accused of Medicare fraud in Houston, TX.

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/4-EMS-in-Houston-charged-in-biggest-Medicare-3527944.php


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Interludes - Bank Fraud in the Southern District of Texas

Bank Fraud in the Southern District of Texas

http://www.justice.gov/usao/txs/1News/Releases/2012%20May/120502%20Mose-Burrel.html


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Interludes - WIC (Women, Infant, Children) Fraud

WIC Fraud in the Southern District of Texas

http://www.justice.gov/usao/txs/1News/Releases/2012%20April/120430%20Estrada.html


NOTE: THE INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE.  IF THE READER HAS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO AN ATTORNEY.



Have a great and fraud-free day.






----------à>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk