Attorney General's News Release

May 21, 1999

Two south Florida men arrested as Nixon files criminal charges alleging telemarketing scam; extradition sought

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon has charged two south Florida men arrested in Hialeah, Fla., with several criminal counts of consumer fraud in connection with an alleged telemarketing scam targeted at an elderly Missouri man.

Thomas Francis Crossin (DOB - 12/31/40) and Daryl E. Tellechea (DOB - 2/10/62) are being held by Hialeah police after being arrested on Wednesday at a Western Union office where they allegedly were attempting to pick up a cash wire sent by a 90-year-old Columbia man.

Crossin is charged with three counts of unlawful merchandising practices, and Tellechea is charged with one count of the same crime. The charges were filed in Boone County Circuit Court. The victim allegedly sent two previous wires to Florida totalling $1,887 after being told he had to pay "entrance fees" to claim a cash prize of $43,000.

After sending the money, the Columbia man then notified staff from the Attorney General's Office, who tape-recorded subsequent calls. The criminal complaint charges that Crossin contacted the man last week and told him to send $1,800 to claim additional large cash prizes. Crossin and Tellechea were arrested at the Western Union office the same day another cash wire was sent.

The charges also allege the two men told the Columbia man that they were attorneys representing a Miami entity when they are not, in fact, licensed attorneys. The charge against Tellechea also alleges that the victim was told a warrant would be issued for his arrest if he did not wire the money.

"Telemarketing scams should not go unpunished, and those targeting seniors are especially egregious," Nixon said. "Abusive threats and calls designed to confuse and frighten seniors are serious offenses and will be treated that way by law enforcement in Missouri."

Nixon said his staff has begun extradition proceedings in order to bring Crossin and Tellechea to Missouri to stand trial. Unlawful merchandising practices is a class D felony in Missouri, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine on each count. As in all criminal cases, the defendants are presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818