GoFuckYourself.com - Adult Webmaster Forum - View Single Post

Schizoid · 08-12-2006, 06:52 PM

Eric Suchomski receives probation in computer fraud case

October 19, 2005

URBANA - A Champaign man with a history of computer-related fraud was sentenced Tuesday to probation and ordered to make several thousand dollars in restitution to three people he ripped off in fraudulent Internet schemes.

Eric Suchomski, 26, who listed an address in the 3700 block of Summer Sage Court, pleaded guilty before Champaign County Judge Harry Clem to four separate counts of felony theft, all of which alleged that he stole money from victims in November 2004 and January.

Assistant State's Attorney Adam Dill said Suchomski was purporting to sell items, including Bon Jovi concert tickets, gold coins and gold bars, on an Internet auction service, took payment from people who believed they were successful bidders, then never delivered the merchandise.

As part of a negotiated plea agreement, Suchomski was sentenced to 30 months of probation and ordered to make restitution of $7,282 in two years. He was also ordered to perform 150 hours of public service and get a substance abuse evaluation. The state also agreed not to file additional charges against him stemming from four other reports investigated by police.

Detective Pat Kelly said a woman from Fairhaven, Mass., who never got her Bon Jovi tickets, for which she had paid about $400, brought Suchomski to the attention of authorities. Kelly said Suchomski promised to repay her but never did. He ultimately admitted to stealing from victims in at least seven states.

Kelly said the victims in the other cases were older, retired folks, who apparently weren't bothered by Suchomski's demand that they deal in cash. That should have raised a red flag with the victims, Kelly said.

"There are safeguards in place like PayPal that make it more likely that you're going to receive merchandise or the payment," Kelly said. "One of the things he did was put a disclaimer on his site that said 'I will only accept cash, certified checks or money orders.' He was forcing people to bypass the security systems by forcing them to send him funds directly."

In 1997, Suchomski pleaded guilty in Champaign County to theft for participating in a scheme with five other teens to steal items, then sell them on the Internet. He was sentenced to court supervision and public service then.

Suchomski was also the subject of a federal civil suit in Nevada. Earlier this year a federal judge found him liable for hacking into the computer system of a California company that compiles and sells lists of e-mail addresses. He was ordered to pay $2.8 million in damages.
Page: A-5

Copyright, 2005, The News-Gazette (Champaign-Urbana, IL)

08-12-2006, 06:52 PM
Schizoid Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 77	Eric Suchomski receives probation in computer fraud case Eric Suchomski receives probation in computer fraud case October 19, 2005 URBANA - A Champaign man with a history of computer-related fraud was sentenced Tuesday to probation and ordered to make several thousand dollars in restitution to three people he ripped off in fraudulent Internet schemes. Eric Suchomski, 26, who listed an address in the 3700 block of Summer Sage Court, pleaded guilty before Champaign County Judge Harry Clem to four separate counts of felony theft, all of which alleged that he stole money from victims in November 2004 and January. Assistant State's Attorney Adam Dill said Suchomski was purporting to sell items, including Bon Jovi concert tickets, gold coins and gold bars, on an Internet auction service, took payment from people who believed they were successful bidders, then never delivered the merchandise. As part of a negotiated plea agreement, Suchomski was sentenced to 30 months of probation and ordered to make restitution of $7,282 in two years. He was also ordered to perform 150 hours of public service and get a substance abuse evaluation. The state also agreed not to file additional charges against him stemming from four other reports investigated by police. Detective Pat Kelly said a woman from Fairhaven, Mass., who never got her Bon Jovi tickets, for which she had paid about $400, brought Suchomski to the attention of authorities. Kelly said Suchomski promised to repay her but never did. He ultimately admitted to stealing from victims in at least seven states. Kelly said the victims in the other cases were older, retired folks, who apparently weren't bothered by Suchomski's demand that they deal in cash. That should have raised a red flag with the victims, Kelly said. "There are safeguards in place like PayPal that make it more likely that you're going to receive merchandise or the payment," Kelly said. "One of the things he did was put a disclaimer on his site that said 'I will only accept cash, certified checks or money orders.' He was forcing people to bypass the security systems by forcing them to send him funds directly." In 1997, Suchomski pleaded guilty in Champaign County to theft for participating in a scheme with five other teens to steal items, then sell them on the Internet. He was sentenced to court supervision and public service then. Suchomski was also the subject of a federal civil suit in Nevada. Earlier this year a federal judge found him liable for hacking into the computer system of a California company that compiles and sells lists of e-mail addresses. He was ordered to pay $2.8 million in damages. Page: A-5 Copyright, 2005, The News-Gazette (Champaign-Urbana, IL)