August 31, 2005 -- Concord, NH -- United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire Tom Colantuono and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Project Colt Inspector Savario Orlando today announced that Sylvia Farmer, age 58, of Montreal, was sentenced to 65 months in federal prison for engaging in a telemarketing scheme originating in Canada that targeted United States citizens.  The defendant will also serve a three year period of supervised release after she is released from prison.  During the supervised release period, her behavior will be monitored by the United States Probation Office and she is prohibited from engaging in telemarketing.

More than 80 victims were affected by the fraud.  Intended losses from the fraud exceeded $8 million dollars and $6.4 million in restitution was ordered.

Defendant Norman Redler is scheduled to be sentenced on September 20, 2005 and defendant Adhemar Baptiste's sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 27, 2005.  Defendants Guy Desjardins and Kerwin Bentley are also awaiting sentencing.

United States Attorney Colantuono stated: "Telemarketing fraud is a serious crime that warrants the best efforts of law enforcement.  I cannot emphasize enough, a person never should send money by mail or wire to anyone unless the citizen knows the person or business to whom the money is being sent.  The telemarketers that created this fraud were professionals that were able to overcome the natural skepticism of their victims.  Although this office is dedicated to finding and prosecuting these fraudsters, the best way to prevent fraud is to not allow yourself to be a victim.  Ask yourself: Is this too good to be true?  If the answer is yes, then do not send anyone any money."

In June 2002, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Surete du Quebec, the Canadian Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Customs Service, and the United States Postal Inspection Service, working jointly to combat telemarketing fraud through an effort known as Project Colt, brought the investigation to the United States Attorney's Office for the District of New hampshire.  Those law enforcement agencies and Criminal Chief and Assistant U.S Attorney Don Feith prosecuted this case.