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Scam Artists Targeted New Orleans Police Officers

September 23, 2005
Louisiana authorities have arrested two suspects in connection with a scam that targeted more than 25 hundred New Orleans police officers, Orleans Parish Sheriffs’ deputies, firefighters and emergency personnel, Jefferson parish police and sheriffs’ officials, as well as state and federal law enforcement personnel.

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Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., said the suspects, posing as Salvation Army volunteers, allegedly convinced local police officers to sign up for debit vouchers worth $5,000 each. The suspects told the law enforcement officers they were eligible to receive the money as victims of the disaster and that the project was being sponsored by the global media company Viacom Inc.

The imposters set up a registration table behind Harrah’s casino in New Orleans and convinced other unsuspecting Salvation Army volunteers to help them register more than 2,500 names and addresses.

The suspects then set September 20th as the date to distribute the $5,000 debit voucher cards. More than 15 hundred police and emergency personnel lined up to receive the money. They then learned that the entire project was a scam and no money was going to be distributed.

“I was asked by New Orleans Police Chief Eddie Compass to investigate and we did immediately. My Investigations Division worked with Sheriff Harry Lee’s Detective Bureau throughout the night to bring these con-artists to justice. I am proud to say the two men who perpetrated this heartless scheme are now behind bars,” said Attorney General Foti.

“To promise something to these men, some of whom have lost everything, and then take that hope away is truly one of the lowest things I have seen during this entire disaster,” General Foti added.

Arrested were Scott Benson, of Green Bay, Wisconsin charged with false impersonation and conspiracy to commit identity theft in excess of $5,000.00, and Chris Armstrong, of Orlando, Florida, charged with false impersonation and conspiracy to commit identity theft in excess of $5,000.00

If convicted, Benson and Armstrong face a possible sentence of up to ten years in prison or fined up to $10,000 or both for conspiracy to commit identity theft and a fine of up to $100 or up to 90 days in prison for false impersonation.

Both suspects were arrested on September 21st at 4:45am in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

“This type of activity is intolerable by anyone and any organization, and we are grateful for the manner in which Attorney General Foti and local law enforcement have worked to ensure that the people responsible will be held accountable for their actions,” said Major Marshall Gesner, Incident Commander for The Salvation Army’s Hurricane Katrina response.

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