MINNEAPOLIS (KFGO) – A Colorado man was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for his role in a $300 million nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme that targeted elderly and vulnerable victims, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger in Minneapolis. Amondo Antoine Miller, 48, of Littleton, Colorado, was also sentenced to five years of supervised release after being found guilty by a Minnesota jury.
The case, described by U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim as the “largest elder fraud case in the nation,” is the first in Minnesota to be prosecuted under the Senior Citizens Against Marketing Scams Act of 1994. This law mandates enhanced penalties for individuals convicted of mail or wire fraud involving telemarketing.
Miller and his co-conspirators launched the scheme in 2000, using telemarketing calls to convince victims—many of whom were elderly—to “renew” existing magazine subscriptions at supposedly discounted rates. In reality, the victims were signed up for new, unwanted subscriptions, resulting in significant financial losses. Some victims were billed by up to ten companies simultaneously, facing more than $1,000 in monthly charges. Over 150,000 individuals were defrauded nationwide.
The investigation was led by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Jacobs, Matthew S. Ebert, Joseph H. Thompson, Garrett S. Fields, and Melinda A. Williams prosecuted the case.
Miller’s sentence marks a major milestone for Minnesota law enforcement and underscores the state’s commitment to protecting its elderly residents from financial exploitation.
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