BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU: The Best Ratings Money Can Buy
ABC News
BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU: The Best Ratings Money Can Buy
Consumer watchdog accused of running "pay to play" scheme with grading system.
By JOSEPH RHEE and BRIAN ROSS
Nov. 12, 2010
The Better Business Bureau, one of the country's best known consumer watchdog groups, is being accused by business owners of running a "pay for play" scheme in which A plus ratings are awarded to those who pay membership fees, and F ratings used to punish those who don't. To prove the point, a group of Los Angeles... [continue]
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FOLLOW-UP COVERAGE
Following an ABC News investigation into the Better Business Bureau's controversial grading system, the BBB announced Thursday that it was revamping the system. Steve Cox, the national president of the BBB, had apologized to consumers and business owners for
Better Business Bureau Apologizes for Grading System 'Errors BBB under fire after 20/20 report on 'pay to play' allegations.
Why Did The Ritz Carlton Get An F? ABC stations investigate the Better Business Bureau's grading system.
Make-a-Wish Phone Scam Skims Millions
ABC News
Make-a-Wish Phone Scam Skims Millions
ABC News tracks down the fugitives indicted in the swindle.
By MATTHEW MOSK, BRIAN ROSS and VIC WALTER
Oct. 22, 2010
A massive phone scam exploiting the good name of the Make-A-Wish Foundation has siphoned more than $20 million from unsuspecting Americans and has been escalating in recent months. Authorities say it is fast becoming one of the ugliest telemarketing schemes to target the elderly in years. Swindlers pretending to be... [continue]
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FOLLOW-UP
A federal grand jury Tuesday indicted a Costa Rican man for alleged ties to one of the largest and most pernicious telemarketing sweepstakes scams in recent American history, marking the first new arrest in the case since federal agents attempted to shut down the boiler room operations in 2006. Emilio Jose Torres, 25, shown in this booking photo, was detained at a Miami airport last month and has been accused in Tuesday's indictment of running an illegal call center in Costa Rica.
Costa Rican Man Indicted in U.S. Phone Scam Case Authorities say Emilio Torres ran sweepstakes boiler room targeting U.S. victims
Brian Ross tracks down Andreas Leimer, an American fugitive living under Costa Rica citizenship in the capital of San Jose, to ask about his role in scamming seniors out of millions. Leimer allegedly set up dozens of boiler rooms so scammers could call into U.S. homes claiming to be awarding sweepstakes winnings from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The scammers made their money by convincing the victims to pay
How To Avoid Getting Phone Scammed An expert offers tips on beating fraudsters who promise fake sweepstakes prizes.
Brian Ross tracks down Andreas Leimer, an American fugitive living under Costa Rica citizenship in the capital of San Jose, to ask about his role in scamming seniors out of millions. Leimer allegedly set up dozens of boiler rooms so scammers could call into U.S. homes claiming to be awarding sweepstakes winnings from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The scammers made their money by convincing the victims to pay
Postal Service Mails Fraud Warning to 129M Authorities say Costa Rican scammers have stolen $20 million from U.S. victims.
Patricia Bowles of Virginia lost more than $300,000 to a sweepstakes scam before she learned the callers were never going to deliver on their promise of a $1.1 million check. She sent the money to the scammers believing she was paying insurance and taxes in advance on her imaginary winnings.
Listen To A Phone Scammer At Work $20 million fraud documented in rarely heard recordings.
EXCLUSIVE: Glenn Beck's Golden Advertiser Under Investigation
Goldline
EXCLUSIVE: Glenn Beck's Golden Advertiser Under Investigation
Authorities probe Goldline, gold firm touted by Beck and other Fox hosts.
By MATTHEW MOSK, JOSEPH RHEE and BRIAN ROSS
July 19, 2010
Authorities in California said today they have opened an investigation into Goldline International, a company that pioneered the practice of weaving its sales pitches into broadcasts by popular conservative political personalities -- including two former presidential candidates and Fox News host Glenn Beck -- to sell... [continue]
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FOLLOW-UP
Dr. Julius Bazan, a doctor from suburban New York, told Congress, Sept. 23, 2010, that a salesman for the precious metals firm Goldline convinced him to convert his entire $140,000 IRA into gold coins, and that he lost almost $60,000 overnight by making the switch.
Goldline Customer Says He Lost $60K When Goldline Urged Him To Buy Coins Ex-Goldline salesman told ABC he was pushed to ask buyers for retirement funds.
Congress will open hearings Thursday into the controversial sales practices of Goldline, the precious metals dealer that pioneered the practice of weaving its sales pitches into broadcasts by popular conservative political personalities such as Glenn Beck, Mike Huckabee and Fred Thompson.
Goldline Hired 3 'Boiler Room' Salesmen Trio were investigated for fraud, agreed to return money to elderly investors.
A rare video reportedly smuggled out of northwest Pakistan allegedly shows a woman being stoned to death by Taliban militants in the upper region of Orakzai. Al Aan, a Dubai-based pan-Arab television channel that focuses on women's issues, said it had obtained cellphone footage that it says shows a woman being executed because she was seen out with a man. ABC News could not independently confirm the cellphone video's authenticity.
Rare Video Shows Taliban Stoning a Woman Also on Brian Ross Investigates: The secret US air war, Congress probes Goldline
Congress will open hearings Thursday into the controversial sales practices of Goldline, the precious metals dealer that pioneered the practice of weaving its sales pitches into broadcasts by popular conservative political personalities such as Glenn Beck, Mike Huckabee and Fred Thompson.
Under Fire, Goldline Hires DC Lobbying Firm Glenn Beck's gold-plated sponsor bracing for congressional showdown.
Congress will open hearings Thursday into the controversial sales practices of Goldline, the precious metals dealer that pioneered the practice of weaving its sales pitches into broadcasts by popular conservative political personalities such as Glenn Beck, Mike Huckabee and Fred Thompson.
This Week on Brian Ross Investigates Glenn Beck's gold line, Toyota under criminal probe & national security.
Consumer Reports Raises Doubts About Gold Firm Touted By Glenn Beck Investigation says Goldine asked nearly twice as much for coins as competitor.
Congress will open hearings Thursday into the controversial sales practices of Goldline, the precious metals dealer that pioneered the practice of weaving its sales pitches into broadcasts by popular conservative political personalities such as Glenn Beck, Mike Huckabee and Fred Thompson.
Glenn Beck Fires Back at ABC Investigation Fox talk show host calls ABC News report 'spin,' 'nothing new.'
Rep. Anthony Weiner, D.-N.Y., announced Tuesday that a Congressional committee would hold a hearing to investigate the business practices of Goldline International, a gold dealer that uses conservative spokespeople such as Fox News' Glenn Beck to sell products. Congressional hearings are likely to extend the long-running debate between Weiner and Beck about the motives of the precious metals dealer. Beck and Weiner have traded barbs on Fox News over Goldline, with Beck even creating a special web site to poke fun at the New York congressman, seen here over Beck's shoulder.
Congress to Grill Glenn Beck Sponsor Goldline Goldline, a frequent advertiser on Fox, faces a hearing and a lawsuit.
Glenn Beck's Gold-Plated Sponsor: No Rip-Off Goldline exec rejects claims of rip off, warns feds could take away gold.
Major GOP Donor Scammed Millions With Phony Veterans Group, Authorities Say
Ohio Attorney General
Major GOP Donor Scammed Millions With Phony Veterans Group, Authorities Say
Fugitive Bobby Thompson rubbed shoulders with Boehner, Bush, McCain.
By MATTHEW MOSK, BRIAN ROSS and ANGELA M. HILL
Nov. 10, 2010
Top law enforcement officials in Ohio are spending this Veterans Day hunting for the man they believe exploited the good name of America's warriors to abscond with more than $100 million. The eccentric looking Florida man went by the name Bobby Thompson. As detailed in a report airing on World News with Diane Sawyer... [continue]
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FOLLOW-UP
A man calling himself Bobby Thompson who once rubbed shoulders with GOP political luminaries is now wanted by Ohio state authorities, who say the $100 million he raised in the name of a charity for U.S. Navy veterans cannot be located. He went by the names Bobby Thompson and Ronnie Brittain, but authorities say both were stolen identities, and he is now a fugitive.
Have You Seen This Mustachioed Man? Police hunt for mystery figure accused in veterans charity scam.
Veterans Groups Warn Against Charity Scams Bobby Thompson's Navy veterans association collected $100 million from donors.
Nigerian 'Black Money' Scam Turns Deadly for Two Suspected Con Men
ABC News
Nigerian 'Black Money' Scam Turns Deadly for Two Suspected Con Men
Police say men were killed by victim of the fraud.
By JOSEPH RHEE
April 1, 2009
The tables were turned with deadly consequences on two African immigrants trying to run a Nigerian "black money" scam on a New York man. Police say the men were killed in retaliation by the victim of the fraud and have identified the suspect as the cousin of NFL player Jonathan Vilma. Both men - Sekou Sakor, 31, and... [continue]
Full Story | 28 Comments
FOLLOW-UP
Nigerian 'Black Money' Scam Continues After 20/20 Expose Read the e-mail exchange between a California heart surgeon and the Nigerian scammer 20/20 caught on camera.
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