The leader of a phone scamming operation known as iSpoof has been sentenced to 13 years in prison. The operation, which involved making fraudulent calls to individuals and businesses, resulted in millions of dollars in losses for victims.
The man behind iSpoof, 27-year-old Nicholas Berthaume, was arrested in 2019 after an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Berthaume and his accomplices used a technique called “spoofing” to make it appear as though their calls were coming from legitimate sources, such as government agencies or financial institutions.
Once they had gained the trust of their victims, the scammers would then request personal information or payment for fake debts or services. In some cases, they even threatened their victims with arrest or legal action if they did not comply.
The iSpoof operation was particularly sophisticated, with the scammers using multiple phone numbers and fake identities to avoid detection. They also used software to automate the process of making calls and recording information.
Berthaume pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. In addition to his prison sentence, he has been ordered to pay restitution to his victims.
The case highlights the growing problem of phone scams, which have become increasingly common in recent years. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans lost over $1.9 billion to phone scams in 2019 alone.
To protect themselves from phone scams, the FTC advises consumers to be wary of unsolicited calls and to never give out personal information or payment over the phone. They also recommend using call-blocking software and reporting suspicious calls to the authorities.
The sentencing of Nicholas Berthaume is a significant victory in the fight against phone scams. It sends a clear message that those who engage in these fraudulent activities will be held accountable for their actions. However, it is important for consumers to remain vigilant and take steps to protect themselves from these types of scams.
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- Source: https://zephyrnet.com/phone-scamming-kingpin-gets-13-years-for-running-ispoof-service/