From Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter:
The following "Special Edition" is being sent to subscribers to the Plus
Edition of Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter:
I have written a number of times about a genealogy-related scam that
operates under a variety of names, including
GenSeekers.com,
GenealogyGiants.com and more. In the July 7 edition of the newsletter, I
identified the owner/operator of this "business" as 21-year-old Elias
Abodeely of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Since then, I have had conversations with
several people in Iowa about this "business."
I can now report that earlier today the Cedar Rapids police department
arrested Elias Abodeely for his activities with
GenSeekers.com and the
other Web sites he operates.
KWWL television in Iowa is now reporting that Cedar Rapids Police have made
an arrest after a two year Internet crime investigation. The crimes
involved genealogy websites. Today police arrested Elias Abodeely II of
Cedar Rapids.. He faces four charges: 1st degree theft, identity theft,
money laundering, and ongoing criminal conduct. Police say they expect to
file charges against more suspects.
Details are still developing. Keep an eye on the newsletter Discussion
Board at
http://www.eogn.com for updates.
He operated mostly under the heading of GenSeekers. But if you recognize
genealogydevelopments.com,
familydiscovery.com,
genealogyfinders.net,
genlocator.com, or
genealogy-express.com, you may have been introduced to
some of his other creations. His modus operandi is to establish a Web
site and solicit subscriptions with the promise of a money-back guarantee.
However, when people go the site, they discover that he has given them
nothing more than links that are available at numerous free Internet
sources. Messages requesting refunds are returned as undeliverable. Then
the Web site itself quickly and quietly disappears from sight.