Brooklyn, NY – A Yiddish-speaking Nigerian national has jumped bail after being charged in a massive mortgage fraud scheme.
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Real estate broker John Star went on the lam last month, a week after prosecutors in Brooklyn offered to let him plead guilty in exchange for 15 years in jail. Now the feds are likely to offer nothing – or, as Star might say, bupkis.
A bench warrant has been issued. Star was free on a $200,000 bond secured with a home in Mount Vernon, Westchester County. He surrendered his Nigerian passport when he was arrested April 6 and is believed to be in the U.S.
“Rather than us having to expend valuable resources looking for him, Mr. Star should be a mensch and turn himself in,” said FBI spokesman James Margolin.
Star, 39, learned Yiddish while growing up in Switzerland with Orthodox Jewish adoptive parents. He moved easily in Orthodox real estate sources and hatched a scheme that bilked lenders of $10 million, officials said.
He and his accomplices submitted false loan applications that said properties were being purchased by credit-worthy buyers, authorities charged. Shortly after pocketing the loans, the defendants stopped making payments on the mortgages.Star’s lawyer, Anthony Mamo, declined to comment yesterday.
Anyone with information about Star is asked to call a confidential tip line: (212) 384-5000.
Looks like Nigerian scamming runs in the genes.
If you don’t know about Nigerian scams google it, scams include ordering anything from an unknow business, overpaying with fake credit cards and have you send a refund while the initial payment fails.
Imagine getting an email that says, if you will ship I will buy—-and what is it that you sell?
Does this mean he’s a ger? Oy vey.
Why are people not trading in their gold bracelets for this man’s Pidyon shvuyim fund??
I think this guy mailed me a letter and telling me about winning 75 million dollars.
I wonder if he is Charaidy? if yes he will get caught if not, not
“Oy Vey”
#3 Why do you ask inane questions. It says he jumped bail!
He was not chareidi, he was working. Now that he will have more ‘free’ time he might become one. The prison authorities will have to organize mikvah, minyan,etc.
haha… it won’t take long till they call him Rabbi… yes our beloved media..
yes he should be a mentch and turn himself in and serve 15 years……………………..
no wonder the world is upside down
Along with yiddish couldn’t his adoptive parents taught him not to steal or was that too much to ask?
This rates up there with man bites dog. Totally bizarre!
If this guy had Rubashkin’s skin color, VIN would be filled with excuses as to why this man is innocent. I love how Charedim think.
“Star, 39, learned Yiddish while growing up in Switzerland with Orthodox Jewish adoptive parents.”
Is he Jewish?
If he ends up in one of my jails am I mechuyiv to give him Kosher food?
How would I justify giving him Kosher food?
Do I supply him with a Siddur? Tehillim? Chumish?
What would you do?
So this animal was allowed out on bail, but SMR wasn’t?
Some justice system this country has……..
The largest part of the Nigerian GNP is email fraud. This guy looks like the same guy who was on datelines “to catch an email swindler” or something to that effect.
Is agudah going to campaign?