Post by Scumhunter on Sept 20, 2013 7:36:14 GMT -5
(Above photo credit: newsday.com)
American Greed: The Fugitives Episode on Hulu (Germenis is second case shown): www.hulu.com/watch/394133
Fugitive Profile as of August 8th, 2014: (based on FBI.Gov wanted poster)
Date(s) of Birth Used: October 28, 1972
Place of Birth: Flushing, Queens, New York
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 200 to 220 pounds
Occupation: Investment Advisor / Fund Manager
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Sex: Male
Race: White
Nationality: American
Scars and Marks: Germenis has scars on his arm.
Remarks: Germenis may have facial hair. He has ties to Greece.
Who to call if you've seen him: Local FBI Field office or embassy or submit a web tip to tips.fbi.gov
Alleged heartless con artist Spiro Germenis was aired three times on AMW in 2009 and 2010:
The following is the FBI profile description of his crimes:
"Spiro Edward Germenis is wanted for his alleged orchestration of a "Ponzi" scheme, which led to him being charged with violating federal fraud by wire laws in 2007. Germenis established an investment management and advisory business named Oracle Evolution LLC, which was based in Great Neck, New York. He created various hedge funds and expanded his business by attracting new investors through networking groups and personal referrals. Germenis eventually lost substantial sums of money due to poor investment choices, gambling, and the use of his clients' money to fund a lavish lifestyle. He then allegedly sent his clients falsified financial statements showing excellent investment returns, which led to more investment money from his victims.
The fraud collapsed when one of his largest investors sought to withdraw money from one of the hedge funds. The majority of those doing business with Germenis were middle-class people, and some were senior citizens who invested and lost their entire life savings. Together, more than twenty-five victims lost over eight million dollars.
Germenis disappeared in October of 2006. After telling his family that he was going to a baseball game, Germenis drove to JFK Airport in New York and boarded a flight to Athens, Greece. He has not been seen or heard from since.
On September 27, 2007, Germenis was charged with fraud by wire and a federal arrest warrant was issued by the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, in Brooklyn, New York."
The reason I'm posting about him today is I watching the CNBC show "American Greed: The Fugitives" and he was profiled on the show last night (it was actually a repeat of the premiere episode from last year but I had never seen it before). Just like AMW, the show also interviewed quadriplegic Rich Kohlmorgen, who became paralyzed after he hit his head in a swimming pool accident. And I do have to say, that seeing him interviewed again was extremely saddening. The poor guy lost his life savings thanks allegedly to Germenis, and said the investment wasn't even for him but for his kids, to fund their schooling, and for experimental treatments so he can hug his kids again, and then he broke down and cried. Only the most heartless person wouldn't be saddened to see that, and that person is allegedly Germenis.
The airing also interviewed a senior citizen who also lost his life savings after his dealings with Germenis.
Germenis as we all know is believed to have initially fled to Athens, Greece. The airing mentioned that Germenis's parents own property on the Greek island of Kefalonia. The airing also said that although it is believed Germenis fled there, there is actually no record of anyone by the name of Spiro Germenis entering Athens. One agent assumed perhaps he got off at the airport and fled somewhere else or had a passport with another name.
In my opinion though, considering how Greece won't extradite its' own people, I'd say it's more likely than not he's still there. Even AMW fugitives who were caught there were prosecuted there instead, and given sentences that were almost definitely lighter than they would have been had they been convicted in the United States.
I know Pakman feels Germenis will likely never be caught because of this, but I truly hope the odds are defied here. Alleged con artist fugitives are so underrated. I'm not as crazy about the ones who steal from banks. I don't subscribe to any Robin Hood theories and those guys still deserve to get caught as well, but Germenis is much scummier than those guys because he allegedly stole from vulnerable people where it will be much more difficult for them to recover. Sure, Germenis might not have stabbed or shot Richard Kohlmorgen. But I think allegedly taking his life savings is just as bad if not worse.
www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=65159
www.fbi.gov/wanted/wcc/spiro-edward-germenis
www.cnbc.com/id/100007687
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