By Chris McGuinness

Raymond Lee Jennings was given a sentence of forty years to life for the murder of teenager Michelle O’Keefe. The sentence was handed down by Judge Lisa Chung at the Michael D. Antonovich Courthouse in Lancaster on Thursday.  Members of the O’Keefe family attended the proceeding and were able to speak directly to Jennings for the first time in almost five years.

The following is from the FBI website fbi.gov about potential scams surrounding the Haitian Earthquake Relief effort:

"The FBI today reminds Internet users who receive appeals to donate money in the aftermath of Tuesday’s earthquake in Haiti to apply a critical eye and do their due diligence before responding to those requests. Past tragedies and natural disasters have prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable organization and/or a good cause.

Therefore, before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines, to include the following:

RISPOLI, Teresa Lynn (AC 5728)
Agoura Hills, CA
Accusation filed: 08/11/98
Stipulated decision: License revoked, stayed, 60 days suspension, 5 years probation with terms and conditions and cost recovery.
Decision effective: 06/21/99
Violation:Practicing acupuncture without a license
Accusation andamp; Petition to Revoke Probation filed: 07/05/01
Stipulated decision: License revoked, stayed, 90 day suspension, 5 years probation with terms and conditions and cost recovery.
Decision effective: 08/21/03
Violation: Improper advertising; failed to comply with corporate name requirements; and operated a school without approval.

vs

11/03/09—Within the last several months, the FBI has seen a significant increase in fraud involving the exploitation of valid online banking credentials belonging to small and medium businesses, municipal governments, and school districts. In a typical scenario, the targeted entity receives a “spear phishing” e-mail which either contains an infected attachment, or directs the recipient to an infected website. Once the recipient opens the attachment or visits the website, malware is installed on their computer. The malware contains a key logger which will harvest the recipients business or corporate bank account log-in information. Shortly thereafter, the perpetrator either creates another user account with the stolen log-in information, or directly initiates funds transfers by masquerading as the legitimate user. These transfers have occurred as both traditional wire transfers and as ACH transfers.

Further reporting has shown that the transfers are directed to the bank accounts of willing or unwitting individuals within the United States. Most of these individuals have been recruited via work-at-home advertisements, or have been contacted after placing resumes on well-known job search websites. These persons are often hired to “process payments”, or “transfer funds”. They are told they will receive wire transfers into their bank accounts. Shortly after funds are received, they are directed to immediately forward most of the money overseas via wire transfer services such as Western Union and Moneygram.

TECHNIQUES USED BY FRAUDSTERS ON SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

—Fraudsters continue to hijack accounts on social networking sites and spread malicious software by using various techniques. One technique involves the use of spam to promote phishing sites, claiming there has been a violation of the terms of agreement or some other type of issue which needs to be resolved. Other spam entices users to download an application or view a video. Some spam appears to be sent from users' "friends", giving the perception of being legitimate. Once the user responds to the phishing site, downloads the application, or clicks on the video link, their computer, telephone or other digital device becomes infected.

It's so sad to see these horrible crimes happening in Our Own Backyard.  Just in the past couple of months we have seen a Sheriff Deputy shot, a woman went missing and was found dead in her own car's trunk, a mom found bound and gagged in her own house, shootings in Palmdale, stabbings in Lancaster, and numerous other terrible acts.  We should all be looking out for each other and reporting suspicious acts ASAP.  Let's make this a Better A.V.
Rick Ramirez
www.ramirezsecurity.com

Provider of Self-Defense and Personal Security and Surveillance products.