Μια νέα υπόθεση μεγάλης απάτης κατάχρησης ποσού ύψους 400.000.000$ με πρωταγωνιστή τον Nichola Cosmo συγκλονίζει την Ελληνοαμερικανική Κοινότητα η οποία από χτες βράδυ και μόνο στην υπόνοια ότι ο δράστης, που συνελήφθει από πράκτορες του FBI στην Νέα Υόρκη, μπορεί να είναι ελληνοαμερικανός ή ελληνικής καταγωγής, έχει κάνει γνωστούς έλληνοαμερικανούς κάθε επαγγέλματος κυριολεκτικά να "ψάχνονται".
Ο Cosmo συνελήφθη για απάτη ύψους 370 εκατομμυρίων δολαρίων στην περιοχή του Long Island της πολιτείας της Νέας Υόρκης χθες(26 01 09) το βράδυ ο 37χρονος Nicholas Cosmo της εταιρείας Agape World Inc. Ο Cosmo κατηγορείται ότι χρησιμοποιούσε τα χρήματα των επενδυτών-πελατών με το σύστημα της πυραμίδας, γεγονός που τον κάνει τώρα να αντιμετωπίζει ποινή 20ετούς κάθειρξης. Σύμφωνα με όσα αναφέρονται σε δήλωση των κατηγόρων, οι εταιρείες του Cosmo Agape World Inc και Agape Merchant Advance LLC, υπόσχονταν στους πελάτες τους επιστροφή των χρημάτων τους με επιτόκιο από 48 μέχρι 80% ετησίως.
Ο αριθμός των πελατών του αγγίζει τους 1500 ενώ σύμφωνα με την επίσημη ιστοσελίδας της agape world inc, η εταιρεία δραστηριοποιείτο από το 1999 μεταξύ άλλων σε εμπορικά, κατασκευαστικά, αγοραστικά δάνεια, καθώς και στην χρηματοδότηση για απόκτηση ιδιοκτησίας σε ολόκληρη την χώρα.
Για την αμερικανική δικαιοσύνη, ο Nicholas Cosmo δεν ήταν άγνωστος, αφού λίγα χρόνια πριν είχε συλληφθεί για οικονομικές απάτες, εκτείοντας ποινή 21 μήνες στην φυλακή, ενώ υποχεώθηκε να ακολουθήσει θεραπεία για την απεξάρτησή του από τα τυχερά παιχνίδια
Η απάτη είναι τεράστων μεγεθών και σύμφωνα με τα στοιχεία που εξέδωσε το FBI το οποίο με ειδική ανακοίνωση καλεί τα θύματα του να εμφανιστούν να δώσουν πληροφορίες και ότι άλλο γνωρίζουν προκειμένου να βρεθεί άκρη στο μπερδεμένο νήμα που είχε στήσει πολή καλά σαν τον ιστό της αράχνης γύρω από το σύστημα πυραμίδας το οποίο είχε στήσει ο Nicholas Cosmo. Όλοι στην Νέα Υόρκη ψάχνουν να βρουν στοιχεία αν ο νέος πρωταγωνιστής μιας εκ των μαγαλυτέρων ιστοριών απάτης που τις τελευταίες ώρες αποτελεί την πρώτη είδηση όχι μόνο στα αμερικανικά ΜΜΕ αλλά και στα διεθνή με τίτλους όπως Modern "greek" $380million Ponzi Scheme (Agape World inc.)είναι ελληνικής, ιταλικής ή και εβραϊκής καταγωγής.
Ωστόσο τα στοιχεία που συγκεντρώνει το FBI αλλά και η δημοσιογραφική έρευνα συντείνουν σε αυτή την εκδοχή αφού ο κατηγορούμενος μίλουσε πολύ καλά ελληνικά σε αρκετά Blog άνρθωποι που τον γνώνιζαν πολύ καλά αναφέρουν ότι πήγαινε σε Ελληνική σχολείο ενώ ο πατέρας του είχε εστιατόριο. Το γεγονός μάλιστα αν ο δράστης είναι ελληνικής ή όχι καταγωγής -και είναι πρωτοφανές για τα δεδομένα της ομογένειας – αναφέρεται σε πρωτοσελιδο δημοσίευμα του ΕΘΝΙΚΟΥ ΚΗΡΥΚΑ ο οποίος για πρώτη φορά αναφέρεται σε τέτοιο γεγονός(με πρωταγωνιστή δράση ελληνικής καταγωγής) και μάλιστα στο πρωτοσέλιδο του! Πάγια τακτική του μέχρι σήμερα -τουλάχιστον μέχρι πρότεινος- ήταν είτε η απόλυτη σιγή και σιωπή με το πρόσχημα να μη γινόμαστε ρεζίλι στην Ελλάδα όταν η ομογένεια βοά για άλλες παρόμοιες υποθέσεις που ψυθιρίζονται- εκτός αν η εξέλιξη περάσει πια στα κανάλια και στα διεθνή ΜΜΕ όπως συνέβει στην περίπτωση του Cosmo.
Η ΥΠΟΘΕΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΑΠΑΤΗΣ ΚΑΝΕΙ ΗΔΗ ΤΟ ΓΥΡΟ ΤΩΝ ΑΜΕΡΙΚΑΝΙΚΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΕΘΝΩΝ ΜΜΕ
| NY financier Cosmo held on Ponzi scheme charge Reuters – By Aarthi Sivaraman CENTRAL ISLIP, NY, Jan. 27 (Reuters) – The head of a private New York financing firm who was arrested on Monday night has been charged … |
| Another Ponzi Scheme? Money Manager Cosmo Busted TIME – By Robert Chew Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009 Nicholas Cosmo, president of Agape World Inc., is escorted into the US Postal Inspectors office by a US Postal police … |
| Man cheated investors with $370m Ponzi scheme, feds say USA Today – CENTRAL ISLIP, NY (AP) – The owner of a New York investment firm ran a $370 million Ponzi scheme, luring in clients with promises of astronomical returns … |
| Cosmo Ponzi Scheme Took in $370 Million, US Says Bloomberg – By Bob Van Voris and Patricia Hurtado Jan. 27 (Bloomberg) — Nicholas Cosmo, founder of Agape World Inc. in Hauppauge, New York, swindled investors out of … |
| Feds: Broker spent $135M of investors' money Newsday, NY BY ROBERT E. KESSLER | robert.kessler@newsday.com A Hauppauge investment broker, who is accused of operating a Ponzi scheme whose clients thought they were … |
| New York CEO arrested over pyramid scheme AFP – NEW YORK (AFP) – A New York financier was arraigned Tuesday on charges of fleecing investors through a 370-million-dollar pyramid, or Ponzi scheme, … |
| Feds: New York firm ran Ponzi scheme Forbes, NY – By FRANK ELTMAN , 01.27.09, 12:25 PM EST Federal prosecutors say the owner of a New York investment firm ran a Ponzi scheme that cheated investors out of … |
| Cosmo, Accused of Ponzi Scheme, Raised $370 Million, US Says Bloomberg – By Charles Carter Jan. 27 (Bloomberg) — Nicholas Cosmo, founder of Agape World Inc. in Hauppauge, New York, was charged with defrauding 1500 investors of … |
| STOCKS NEWS US-NY financier arrested in purported Ponzi scheme Forbes, NY – Citigroup (nyse: C – news – people ) on Tuesday slashed its price target on Fifth Third Bancorp (nasdaq: FITB – news – people ) by 69 percent, … |
| Feds Probe Another Possible Ponzi Scheme MSNBC – By JONATHAN DIENST A Long Island man accused of running a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme is now a wanted man. Nicholas Cosmo is the founding president of … |
| FBI: Long Island investment firm boss surrenders The Associated Press – HICKSVILLE, NY (AP) – The owner of a Long Island investment firm accused of cheating people out of more than $100 million is expected to appear in court … |
| NY financier arrested in purported $400 million scam Reuters – By Grant McCool NEW YORK (Reuters) – Authorities on Monday arrested the chief executive of a private New York financing firm on suspicion of running a … |
| More questions than answers for nervous Agape investors Newsday, NY – A lone investor stood outside Agape World's dark, locked offices yesterday, long after others had left. He'd called early that morning to make sure that … |
| Suspect in Ponzi Scheme Surrenders on Long Island New York Times, United States – By BLOOMBERG NEWS A New York businessman sought by federal authorities in connection with a suspected $380 million Ponzi scheme has been arrested and … |
| New York CEO arrested over pyramid scheme: reports AFP – NEW YORK (AFP) – Authorities have arrested the head of a New York investment firm in connection with a pyramid scheme that may have cost investors some 380 … |
| Investment firm exec arrested on mail fraud charge Newsday, NY – This story was reported by MICHAEL AMON, ROBERT E. KESSLER, ZACHARY R. DOWDY, CHAU LAM, GARY DYMSKI, TOM INCANTALUPO and DANIEL EDWARD ROSEN | It was … |
| Agape investors mainly middle class, not wealthy Newsday, NY – BY MICHAEL AMON AND CHAU LAM | micha They are cops and municipal workers, lawyers and construction managers, car salesmen and small-business owners. … |
| US police nab $US380m Ponzi schemer The Age, Australia – A New York businessman sought by US authorities in connection with an alleged $US380 million ($574 million) Ponzi scheme was arrested and charged with one … |
| Cops: Confrontation at Hauppauge firm over investments Newsday, NY – Jan 26, 2009 BY MICHAEL AMON | michael.amon@newsday.com; Staff write About 20 investors showed up Friday at the offices of a Hauppauge investment firm to demand … |
| LI Exec Arrested on Federal Fraud Charges LongIslandPress.com, NY – Add yet another financial scandal to the list that of those that have rocked the investing world, and this one hits a lot closer to home. … |
| : Long Island-based Agape World Founder Nicholas Cosmo Arrested … NewsReleaseWire.com (press release) – Following fast on the heels of the recent Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme travesty, the President and founder of a Hauppague, Long Island-based investment firm … |
| New York Ponzi scheme operator Cosmo had mob ties BloggingStocks – Nicholas Cosmo, a convicted felon who somehow turned himself into an investment adviser who bilked people out of $370 million, allegedly has ties to … |
| LI 'MADOFF' ORDERED HELD WITHOUT BAIL New York Post, NY – By KIERAN CROWLEY and KATI CORNELL The accused Long Island head of a $370 million Ponzi scheme was ordered held without bail today after prosecutors … |
| LI Investment Firm Owner Busted For $370M Scam North Country Gazette, NY – NEW YORK-Nicholas Cosmo, owner and president of Agape World, Inc. and Agape Merchant Advance, LLC, was arrested Monday night pursuant to a federal complaint … |
| Kids soccer league Agape World's latest victim Long Island Business News, NY – by Claude Solnik Add to the victims of an alleged investment fraud more than a thousand children as well as soccer moms and dads. … |
| Accused Swindler Cosmo Owed Thousands to Mob CNBC, Englewood Cliffs – Accused Ponzi-schemer Nicholas Cosmo onced owed tens of thousands of dollars in gambling debt to the Genovese crime family, the latest twist in a scheme … |
| Alleged NY Ponzi scheme used Belfast project names VillageSoup Belfast, USA – By Ethan Andrews HAUPPAGE, NY (Jan 27): Nicholas Cosmo of the Long Island-based investment firm Agape World, Inc. turned himself in to authorities Monday … |
| NY man charged in $130M Ponzi scheme United Press International – HAUPPAUGE, NY, Jan. 27 (UPI) — A convicted Long Island, NY, swindler has been arrested in connection with an alleged $130 million loss in a Ponzi scheme, … |
| Feds: Cosmo gambled it away Long Island Business News, NY – by David Winzelberg Agape World chief executive Nicholas Cosmo will be charged Tuesday with one count of mail fraud. Cosmo allegedly defrauded thousands of … |
| Head Of LI Ponzi Scheme Awaits Arraignment WCBS-TV New York, NY – The information you provide will be used only to send the requested e-mail and will not be used to send any other e-mail communications. … |
| Long Island Has Its Own Junior-Varsity Madoff New York Magazine, USA – There are several reports out today comparing Nicholas Cosmo, a Long Island fraudster, to Bernie Madoff. And while it's true that both men swindled trusting … |
| Scam Victims Unite! DealBreaker.Com, NY – First, storm the offices. Then, smack your alleged perpetrator right in the mouth. Then, when you are really mad, jump on http://www.scamvictimsunited.com … |
| STOCKS NEWS US-NY financier arrested in purported Ponzi scheme Interactive Investor, UK – Nicholas Cosmo, the chief executive of Agape World, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of running a purported Ponzi scheme, US law enforcement officials … |
| LI investment firm owner to face judge News 12 Westchester, CT – (01/27/09) CENTRAL ISLIP – The head of an investment firm based in Hauppauge is being arraigned on fraud charges Tuesday. Nicholas Cosmo, CEO of Agape World … |
| Jesus, Not Another One: Nicholas Cosmo Is The Newest Ponzi In Town Bad Idea, UK – The financial crisis has exposed yet more Ponzi-style wonkiness in the form of Nicholas Cosmo, who was arrested yesterday after an alleged $380m mail fraud … |
| Arrest in another possible ponzi scheme 7Online.com, NY – LONG ISLAND (WABC) — An investment firm on Long Island is under investigation for allegedly scamming its clients. A court appearance today for the head of … |
| LI has its very own 'Madoff,' feds charge New York Daily News, NY – BY KERRY BURKE, JOHN MARZULLI and LEO STANDORA The head of a Long Island investment firm, who the feds think is a Bernie Madoff-like swindler, … |
| New York Exec Nailed for Alleged $400 Million Ponzi Scheme HedgeCo.net, FL – New York (HedgeCo.Net) – Nicholas Cosmo, head of New York-based Agape World Inc., has been arrested for allegedly running a $400 million Ponzi scheme. … |
| New York Financier Surrenders To Authorities RTT News, NY – (RTTNews) – Nicholas Cosmo, founder of Agape World Inc in Hauppauge, New York, complied on Monday evening with a warrant for his arrest on suspicion of … |
| FBI raids Agape World, seeking owner over $380 million Ponzi Scheme The Inquisitr, Australia – The FBI raided New York based bridge lender Agape World Monday over an alleged $380 million ponzi scheme. Agape chief Nicholas Cosmo is accused of scamming … |
| Investors fear Ponzi scheme by Hauppauge firm News 12 Connecticut, CT – Jan 26, 2009 (01/26/09) HAUPPAUGE – Concerned investors are coming forward after learning the owner of a Hauppauge finance company is under federal investigation for … |
| : Bridge Loan Company Under Fire by Investors and Under … NewsReleaseWire.com (press release) – Jan 26, 2009 Investors across the United States are experiencing confusion, dismay and anger today, as numerous questions regarding the Hauppauge, Long Island-based … |
| Feds Invesitgate Another Possible Ponzi Scheme on Long Island 1010 Wins, NY – Jan 26, 2009 NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Investigators are looking into another possible ponzi scheme at an investment firm on Long Island as angry investors descended on … |
| Agape not so hot Long Island Business News, NY – Jan 26, 2009 IF … it turns out Agape World chief Nicholas Cosmo was indeed running a Ponzi scheme or any other type of fraud out of Hauppauge it will present a bit of a … |
| Round 2: Cosmo to press charges Long Island Business News, NY – Jan 26, 2009 Nick Cosmo was behind his desk Monday morning as investors gathered in the hallway outside his Agape World offices in Hauppauge. After being assaulted by … |
| Investment firm investigated in alleged scams 7Online.com, NY – Jan 26, 2009 LONG ISLAND (WABC) — A developing story on Long Island, where an investment firm is under investigation for allegedly scamming its clients. … |
| FBI: Long Island investment firm boss surrenders International Herald Tribune, France – AP HICKSVILLE, New York: The FBI says the owner of a Long Island investment firm has turned himself in to face accusations he cheated clients out of more … |
| Federal agents raid hauppauge investment firm Newsday, NY – Jan 26, 2009 BY ROBERT KESSLER | robert.kessler@newsday.com Agents with the US Postal Inspection Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation have executed search … |
| STOCKS NEWS US-Obama to visit Capitol Hill to push stimulus Interactive Investor, UK – President Barack Obama will visit Capitol Hill on Tuesday in an attempt to build support and momentum for an $825 billion economic stimulus package he said … |
| Long Island Investment Firm Owner Surrenders In Fraud Case EasyBourse.com, France – By Chad Bray Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- A Long Island investment firm owner sought in a criminal fraud investigation voluntarily … |
| A newly disclosed Ponzi scheme may cost investors 380 million dollars Ecommerce Journal, MA – One more Ponzi scheme has been discovered by the US authorities. 37-year old Nicholas Cosmo , CEO of Agape World Inc. , has turned himself in late Monday … |
| FBI storms Agape World, seek owner in $380M Ponzi scheme Long Island Business News, NY – Jan 26, 2009 by David Winzelberg The FBI and the US Postal Inspection Service on Monday raided Agape World's Hauppauge headquarters, as authorities issued a warrant for … |
| Ponzi Ponzi Ponzi! DealBreaker.Com, NY – Jan 26, 2009 New York and federal officials are investigating a Hauppauge investment firm that has indefinitely halted payouts to clients, citing setbacks on commercial … |
| Agape World chief: We're not running a Ponzi scheme Long Island Business News, NY – Jan 26, 2009 by David Winzelberg The president of a beleaguered Hauppauge investment firm on Monday guaranteed that each of his investors would eventually get their … |
