MNHENNEP-L Archives

From: "Claudia" <>
Subject: Re: [MNHENNEP] Fw: Genealogy Scam a Grim Reminder for Internet Enthusiasts
Date: Fri, 8 Aug 2003 10:08:13 -0500
References: <19b.18ed8644.2c651569@aol.com>

Jan, here it is. Hopefully not scrambled as it was originally.

By Lorraine I. Quillon
Managing Editor, Family History Magazine

Generally, we tend to be naively trusting until something happens to destroy
that trust. Recent happenings in the world of genealogy have made us all
considerably more cautious.

Many enthusiastic researchers signed up for a conference that looked
entirely legitimate. However, as the scheduled time approached, the
conference was cancelled and would-be participants were having some
difficulty retrieving their registration fees.

Now, we're seeing another form of genealogy theft as researchers become
increasingly keen on using the Internet.

On Aug. 1, Elias Abodeely II, 22, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was arrested for
allegedly perpetrating a whole series of scams aimed at genealogy buffs. 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.

According to the Aug. 2 The Gazette, an Iowa newspaper, investigators claim,
"Abodeely masterminded a three-year genealogy scam that netted at least
$14,000 and between 220 and 260 victims - a handful of them from overseas."

Abodeely was arrested on suspicion of identity theft and three felonies -
first-degree theft, money laundering and ongoing criminal conduct. The
crimes are punishable by up to 47 years in prison, according to Gazette
reporter Christoph Trappe.

This is an unfortunate situation because it necessarily makes genealogists w
ary of all such enterprises, even the legitimate ones. So just an ancient
word of warning-caveat emptor! Robbery comes in many different forms. Do
everything in your power to prevent loss of both resources and confidence.
Check out a potential service as much as possible before investing
significant sums of money. Consult more experienced researchers for advice
about reliable services.

Copyright 2003 Everton Family History Network.
All Rights Reserved.


--------------------------------------------------------------------
Everton Publishers, Inc.
P.O. Box 368, Logan, UT 84323-0368
Toll-free: 1-800-4GENEALOGY (1-800-443-6325)
www.everton.com

Claudia Schuman - Coordinator
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnhennep/
http://hennbios.tripod.com/index.htm
http://fdlbios.tripod.com/index.htm
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnscott/index.htm


----- Original Message -----
From: <>
To: <>
Sent: Friday, August 08, 2003 10:02 AM
Subject: Re: [MNHENNEP] Fw: Genealogy Scam a Grim Reminder for Internet
Enthusiasts


> I did not receive the email and would like to see it.
>
> Jan
>
>

This thread:

• [MNHENNEP] Fw: Genealogy Scam a Grim Reminder for Internet Enthusiasts by "Claudia" <>
  • Re: [MNHENNEP] Fw: Genealogy Scam a Grim Reminder for Internet Enthusiasts by

    • Re: [MNHENNEP] Fw: Genealogy Scam a Grim Reminder for Internet Enthusiasts by "Claudia" <>