FBI Does Dallas... Data Center Investigation
The FBI recently raided two Texas data centers as part of a fraud investigation which allegedly saw two major wireless networks duped out of millions of minutes.
ComputerWorld reports that a trail of fake companies, P.O. box addresses and fraudulant phone numbers led the FBI investigation to two Texas companies: Premier Voice and Lone Star Power. Several people connected to the two companies are said to have submitted fake credit information as well as “other false representations” to access services from AT&T and Verizon, which they then sold on to their own clients at a rate of 1c per minute.
An affidavit signed by FBI agent Allyn Lynd (via DSLreports.com) explains the extent of the crime:
“On or about January 26, 2009, Verizon officials contacted the FBI and reported they were the victims of a fraud for in excess of $1,000,000. Verizon officials advised they believed AT&T had also been victimized by the same fraud for similar losses. During a teleconference between Verizon/AT&T fraud investigators and myself, investigators explained that they believed a group of individuals working together had defrauded them of over 120,000,000 physical connectivity minutes valued at $6,000,00 in a three to four month period and that these individuals had charged their customers $.01 per minute, for a profit of $1,200,000.”
According to CW, four men have been names suspects in the investigation; Michael Faulkner, Brian Haney, Nathan Shafer and Michael Bowden.
-
Previous News Article
iTunes, Amazon, Wal-Mart Pricing... -
Next News Article
Google: Street View Complaints...
"for a profit of $1,200,000."
It is not profit if they pay their bills. Calling it profit is rediculous, like they could get a bail-out for the bills they tossed aside. Oooo wait maybe they could telecom fraud needs a bail-out too!!
They submitted Fraudulent credit information, thus the crime was committed.
Oooo wait maybe they could telecom fraud needs a bail-out too!!
Nice
The guy in the article on the CW site...Matthew Simpson...
I used to do phone support for the WISP that provided internet access to him at home. He insisted on having two links from different towers. Had some kind of Internet radio setup going there (the control system, if not the streams themselves). I've never met him but I think I talked to him once or twice. Anyway the stuff about him and his hosting customers is at least based in fact, cause I've heard the same thing from buddies at the WISP. I don't think he actually did anything wrong. I'd have been uber pissed. And as an aside...small world.
It is not profit if they pay their bills. Calling it profit is rediculous.
------------------------------------------------------------
Hmmm lets see they used fake info credit, I am assuming credit cards and the paid more for the service with the fake info, and turn around a sold it at 1cent per minute. Sounds like pure profit and the fact that they are not paying for it.
Saying as long as they pay the bills, so in other words hey who cares about identity theft and who cares if people use credit cards that are not theres, as long as they pay the bill its ok.
Anyone else think this reasoning garborg is giving is absurd?
As long as they pay the bill its not stealing. Well if you think that, than give everyone on her your CC info and we will pay the bill...LOL
Next time read the article and not skip over important parts like:
a trail of fake companies, P.O. box addresses and fraudulant phone numbers led the FBI investigation to two Texas companies: Premier Voice and Lone Star Power. Several people connected to the two companies are said to have submitted fake credit information as well as “other false representation
But your right there looking for a bail out
This is great. The companies ripping off all of America day in and day out are being ripped off. Keep up the good work. Lord knows AT&T and Verizon deserve it for the prices they charge for text messaging.
Nice title
Att is way too expensive for text messaging and I'm still waiting for that lawsuit to go through and reduce prices...c'mon, hurry up
Why are all the hacker name so kool... expect that Brian Haney guy lol.
lol where is the edit button? I spell something worng.
The guy in the article on the CW site...Matthew Simpson...I used to do phone support for the WISP that provided internet access to him at home. He insisted on having two links from different towers. Had some kind of Internet radio setup going there (the control system, if not the streams themselves). I've never met him but I think I talked to him once or twice. Anyway the stuff about him and his hosting customers is at least based in fact, cause I've heard the same thing from buddies at the WISP. I don't think he actually did anything wrong. I'd have been uber pissed. And as an aside...small world.
I may have gotten Mr. Simpson mixed up with another guy. There was a guy that did voip stuff and then the internet radio guy, so he may have been the voip guy instead.
I know no one even remotely cares...but I thought if I was going to act cool for being acquainted with someone in this story, I might as well be historically accurate.