Man Dupes Elderly Alexandria Resident In Magazine Scam: Report

ALEXANDRIA, VA—A man has pleaded guilty in federal court for duping an elderly Alexandria resident and hundreds of others out of nearly $500,000 in a magazine subscription scam.

According to court documents the defendant and accomplices contacted magazine subscribers and offered to renew the subscriptions over the phone. More often than not, these were elderly people vulnerable to this type of scam.

In all 250 victims were targeted, including the 94-year-old Alexandria resident and another Virginia resident suffering from Alzheimer's.

Through these calls he would threaten the victims with legal action or arrest if they did not make the payment. He told them they needed to pay thousands of dollars at a time for renewal fees, past-due balances, fines, attorneys’ fees and other legal fees, and court costs. When the victims agreed, the defendant would double or triple bill their accounts. The victims would mail checks and wire money to him and his accomplices in Arizona.

Raheem Oliver, 38, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. He could get up to 20 years in prison and will be sentenced on June 22.

Follow Del Ray Patch on Facebook or subscribe for more local news.

Image via Shutterstock