Man Gets Years in Prison for Promoting Fake Concerts in Fort Lauderdale

It is easier to commit white-collar crime than many people realize. Wire fraud, mail fraud, identity theft, and similar crimes may lead to felony charges and lengthy prison sentences – and this is something a South Florida man recently discovered after promoting what prosecutors call “bogus concerts.” What happens if you promote a fake music concert in Florida? What kinds of penalties might you face, and what is the best defense against fraud charges in Fort Lauderdale?

Defendants Impersonate Numerous Musicians in Fraudulent Concert Scheme 

In July of 2024, the Department of Justice announced that a defendant in South Florida had been sentenced to 57 months in prison for wire fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The scheme involved two individuals who promoted fake music concerts, telling the public that these concerts would feature numerous well-known artists. Going one step further, the defendants impersonated these artists and even forged their signatures.

A victim reportedly handed over $1.35 million to these fraudsters and was under the impression that the funds would be used to organize and produce the concerts. The defendants then showed the victim various forged music contracts featuring signatures from the artists. One defendant also created various fake email accounts and pretended to be the artists while communicating with the victim. They engaged in a fake video call, using an accomplice to pose as a musical artist in order to trick the victim.

Not satisfied with the six-figure sum he had obtained, one defendant went on to defraud another victim for $500,000. Similar scams followed, with the defendant gaining hundreds of thousands of dollars from various individuals. During this period, the defendant continued to impersonate music artists and forge contracts.

Even after the defendant was incarcerated, he continued his scams. Meeting with one victim, he promised that the concert would eventually happen one day. He then found someone who had the same name as one musical artist, opened a fraudulent bank account, and deposited funds into the account using checks written by the victims.

The authorities say that victims lost close to $3 million as a result of these fraudulent schemes. During this period, the defendant is alleged to have spent the stolen funds on various personal expenses. The Justice Department states that these expenses included luxury goods, vacations, and expensive restaurants.

Although one of these defendants received just over a year in prison, the other received almost five years. This is because he acted as the “leader” of the two-man con man team, according to the Justice Department.

Find an Experienced Fort Lauderdale Fraud Defense Lawyer 

If you’ve been searching for an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, look no further than Haber & Blank, Attorneys at Law. Over the years, we have helped numerous defendants pursue positive outcomes – including those facing consequences for alleged fraud. While the penalties for white-collar crime can be quite serious, they are anything but guaranteed. Book your consultation today to discuss potential defense strategies in more detail.

Sources: 

justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/fake-concert-promoter-sentenced-57-months-prison-nearly-3-million-fraud-scheme

miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article285431722.html