Yonkers Man Accused Of Defrauding 3 Of $190K

YONKERS, NY — A Westchester man faces felony charges after he was accused of defrauding three people of more than $190,000. Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino Jr. announced Friday that John Nemec, 47, of Yonkers, was charged with second-degree grand larceny, two counts third-degree grand larceny, first-degree scheme to defraud and fourth-degree conspiracy, all felonies.

Scarpino said Nemec conspired and participated in a fraudulent investment scheme to steal more than $190,000 from his tree victims.

To carry out the scheme, Nemec first fraudulently induced his victims to trust him, and then he stole their money, police said.

He told his victims he left his short-lived employment as a police officer years ago to become a financial success in both the film industry and as a stock trader, according to prosecutors.

Nemec showed one victim a fake investment account statement falsely stating that he had more than $58 million in personal investments.

Once Nemec gained their trust, he then convinced his victims to transfer their lifesavings to him and his co-conspirator under the guise that their money would be held and invested on their behalf, police said.

Shortly after their savings were transferred, Nemec orchestrated the withdrawal of their money for his own personal use, Scarpino said.

Between August 2010 and October 2010, Nemec allegedly stole about $50,285 of investment funds from his first victim. In May 2011, he allegedly stole about $4,900 from his second victim.

Then, between June 2011 and October 2012, Nemec and his co-conspirator allegedly stole about $137,068 from his third victim.

Police said that, in March 2014, Nemec learned that the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office was investigating him, and he began actively evading authorities. At one point, he fled to Spain.

Arrest warrants were issued by the Yonkers City Court March 28, 2014, and by the Westchester County Supreme Court Oct. 11, 2016.

Nemec evaded being caught until this week. He was located and apprehended Wednesday, May 2 in LaGrange, Dutchess County.

He is currently being held in jail. His next court appearance is May 15.

If convicted he faces up to 15 years in state prison.

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