Couple Arrested for Allegedly Scamming Cisco

Authorities have arrested a couple who allegedly swindled Cisco out of a massive $23 million.

Mario Easevoli and his wife, Jennifer Leigh Harmon Easevoli had set up a business called Synergy Communications. PC World reports that an investigation by the FBI, the IRS and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service supposedly found that the couple, along with an accomplice who is still at large, took advantage of Cisco's SMARTnet tech support program that ships replacement parts to companies.

According to the indictment, which was unsealed this week, the group used more than 21 fake companies and 80 fake names to obtain spare parts from Cisco. The parts were shipped to private mailboxes in eight states and then sold on to others.

The two are charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, aiding and abetting mail fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted the North Carolina-based couple face up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for the charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aiding and abetting mail fraud. Conspiracy to commit money laundering carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in jail and fines of up to $500,000.

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