Massachusetts Conman Indicted for Defrauding 9/11 Survivor
A ruthless Massachusetts conman, Richard Yasnis, has been indicted on charges of posing as an investment broker and stealing more than $140,000 from an ailing 9/11 survivor and her widowed mother, officials in Long Island have revealed. Yasnis, 43, allegedly targeted victims who had helped at Ground Zero after the September 11 attacks and were eligible for the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund.
False Promises and Deception
Yasnis posed as a licensed broker with Cahill Financial Group and lured the victims into a fraudulent property renovation opportunity, promising a 20% profit. He convinced the women to invest in this scheme, as well as in the stock market, leading to substantial financial losses for the victims. Additionally, Yasnis falsely claimed to need $150,000 to invest in a company called FlexPort that he said had recently gone public.
Uncovering the Scam and Legal Action
As the victims became suspicious, they demanded receipts and the return of their funds. When Yasnis refused, a police investigation revealed his fraudulent activities. It was discovered that he was not a licensed broker, had never worked with Cahill Financial Group, and that FlexPort was not a legitimate company. Yasnis now faces charges of grand larceny and could potentially serve seven and a half to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Despite claiming to be a successful Wall Street investor, Yasnis was found to be a charlatan who took advantage of vulnerable individuals and their connection to the 9/11 attacks. The district attorney, Anne Donnelly, condemned Yasnis’s actions and emphasized the importance of protecting individuals from such deceitful practices.
