Police Warn Against Internet Fraud

Finding a thief who preys on his victims through the Internet can be like chasing a ghost, investigators said.

In the past week, two Aiken area residents trying to sell jewelry learned the hard way that criminals will target even reputable trade papers.

Aiken Public Safety investigators said the two recent victims lost collectively in excess of $15,000 when they tried to sell their rings through buying an advertisement in a national trade paper. The victims didn't know each other but purchased similar ads trying to sell their rings to interested buyers.

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"Biggest Loser" Contestant a Big Loser - Indicted on Fraud Charges

A former “Biggest Loser” TV contestant from Boston who won a cool $100,000 on the show was indicted today for allegedly trying to scam insurance companies by repeatedly taking out pricey policies on jewelry after reporting that bling as stolen.

David Fioravanti, 43, who flunked out of the first season of the NBC hit show, is charged with five counts of motor vehicle insurance fraud, two counts of insurance fraud, larceny over $250, attempted larceny over $250 and making a false statement on a motor vehicle registration, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office announced today.

Fioravanti is accused of registering his car at his mother’s address in Marshfield, where insurance premiums are cheaper, while he continued to live in Boston.