Ex-Incline couple in $1.5m fraud case (eBay related)

Source: Reno Gazette Journal

A former Incline Village couple have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges they ran an Internet fraud that robbed 80 people of around $1.5 million.

Darin Jerome French, 35, and Jennifer Lynn French, 35, were arrested Friday morning at their home in Susanville, Calif., and later pleaded not guilty in Reno federal court to 21 counts of mail fraud, 63 counts of wire fraud and aiding and abetting.

The two were released on their own recognizance. If convicted, they face 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count.

According to the indictment, between 2003 and 2004 the couple pretended to be authorized distributors of high-end and expensive appliances. They advertised on the Internet auction site, eBay, where they left positive feedback for themselves in a tactic known as “shill feedback.” This tactic gives online buyers the impression that multiple users have left positive feedback on their site discussing their purchases. Many customers rely on the feedback in determining if they can trust the seller.

Read more: http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080118/NEWS01/80118061&oaso=news.rgj.com%2Fbreakingnews

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I think we are going to see a major increase in financial crimes in this country with the economy going whacko.

Where is the discussion regarding criminal charges for the clowns that KNEW they were engaging in predatory lending. Nada--NO discussion, it's insane. I know there some obscure law these people can be prosecuted under....but then again this is the Bush administration....nuff said.

A poor out of work black guy goes to jail for 5 yrs for selling a bag of weed, and that fat POS that threw his "younger" new wife the zillion dollar party, gets a 50K fine or what ever, that's what I believe is called "created equal" and "equal justice under the law". What a fucking joke!!!!

putting a stain on a great weekend.