3 Men Defrauded 200 People Of Over $5M: Attorney's Office

NEW HAVEN, CT — Three former New Haven residents were found guilty of defrauding over 200 people nationwide of more than $5 million, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.

A federal jury in Bridgeport found that Farouq Fasasi, 27, Rodney Thomas Jr., 31, and Ralph Pierre, 32, had defrauded their victims — mostly elderly people — from around August 2015 to around March 2020, the attorney's office said.

They used mostly lottery and romance scams, the attorney's offices said, and victims would wire or deposit money into bank accounts controlled by conspiracy members and their associates. Pierre formed a fake charity called "Global Protection Foundation" and opened four bank accounts in its name, the office said.

The three men used to live together on Sherman Avenue in New Haven, and many cash, checks and money orders from victims were delivered to their residence, the attorney's office said.

"Many of the victims were elderly and vulnerable, and some victims lost their life savings," the attorney's office said in a news release. "One Connecticut victim lost more than $1 million."

Lottery scams involve scammers telling victims they won the lottery, then asking them for fees to cover taxes, shipping and processing.

Victims often send a small amount of money, then the scammer asks for more and more — with a promise of more winnings that never come, according to evidence presented during the trial.

In a romance scam, scammers pretend to be prospective romantic companions, often by creating fake online profiles on dating websites that include false personal details (such as a spouse's death or a history of military service), according to evidence.

Scammers will gain their victims' trust, then will ask them for money which they claim to need for medical or business emergencies, for travel, to see the victim, or for other purposes.

The jury found Fasasi and Thomas guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and one count of mail fraud.

Fasasi was also convicted of three counts of money laundering, while Pierre was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one count of money laundering.

Fasasi, Thomas and Pierre will be sentenced on May 10.

Three other people have also been convicted of offenses stemming from their participation in this scheme, the attorney's office said.

"The Justice Department is committed to rooting out and prosecuting those who steal from seniors and other vulnerable victims," U.S. Attorney Leonard C. Boyle said. "These verdicts will help to heal the many individuals who gave thousands of dollars to these predators. I encourage all to resist falling victim to these schemes and not send any money to anyone you haven't met in person."