Porn News

Gambinos in $200 Million Phone Sex Rip Off

New York- The Gambino crime family raked in nearly half a billion dollars ripping off users of phone-sex lines and Internet porn sites, the feds charged yesterday.

A new indictment charges reputed soldier Richard Martino and a white-collar cohort with roping millions of victims into a $200 million fraud scheme by advertising “free” samples of adult-entertainment services – such as phone sex, horoscope lines and dating services.

A total of 10 Gambino wiseguys and associates were charged in the “telephone cramming” scheme yesterday, including Martino’s brother Daniel, 53, an assistant professor of chemistry at Mercy College in Westchester.

Once the customers had placed a call to one of the 800 numbers, a $40 monthly fee would be automatically added onto their local telephone bills – often disguised as a charge for “voice mail.”

When one company, Southwestern Bell, would no longer process the charges, Richard Martino, 44, and advertising executive Norman Chanes, 57, allegedly set up their own billing company, USP&C.

The new billing company sent out invoices resembling bills from Southwestern Bell, labeled instead “Southwest Region Bill.”

Once customers got wise and started to complain, USP&C set up a call center to handle the gripes – but operators were instructed to offer only partial refunds, unless the customers insisted on getting all their money back, the indictment said.

The enterprise generated between $50,000 and $600,000 in gross revenue every day from 1997 to 2001, according to the indictment.

A cut in the profits was kicked up to reputed Gambino capo Salvatore “Tore” Locascio, 44, who is also named in the indictment, according to court papers filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Genser.

Martino was released on $1 million bail at an arraignment in Brooklyn federal court, where he pleaded not guilty.

Martino, Chanes, and Richard Chew, CEO of the company that publishes Playgirl and High Society magazines, were originally indicted in March on the alleged Internet smut scam.

 

638 Views

Related Posts

Creepy Paul Mulholland, Fake Journalist, Stalker

Paul Mulholland presents himself as a savior of vulnerable women, a self-proclaimed advocate exposing the “dark underbelly” of the adult industry.

Micky Lynn to Tell Her ‘Life Story’ in New Documentary, Book

Legendary performer Micky Lynn has announced a June release for her documentary, “The Life Story of Micky Lynn.” 23 Views

Goddess Lilith Drops 2 New BDSM Clips

Goddess Lilith has dropped two new BDSM clips on her official website. 29 Views

Blake Jones’ New Tattoo Leads to Taboo Sex at MyPOVFam

Blake Jones stars opposite Peter King in a new scene from My POV Family, titled “Bratty Stepdaughter Gets a Secret Tattoo!” 21 Views

Vegas Frenchy Leads Latest Episode of ‘Family Swap’ From Nubiles Porn

Vegas Frenchy stars alongside Richard Glaze, Sawyer Cassidy, and Arin Jones in the latest episode of the “Family Swap” series from Nubiles Porn. 20 Views

Chocolate Lady Launches on ULoversDoll

ULoversDoll has announced the addition of a new brand, Chocolate Lady, which focuses on dark-skin designs. 20 Views

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *