THREE WOMEN ACCUSED OF INTERNATIONAL FRAUD SCHEME

Three women accused of international fraud scheme

Three women from the area are accused of being involved in a $4 million international fraud scheme.  Jennifer Sterk of Pella, Marilyn Sterk of Otley and Teresa Sterk Vanbaale of Knoxville were arrested by the FBI last Friday.  Each is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud and conspiracy to launder money.  According to a federal grand jury indictment, the scheme began in 2014.  The three women and two other co-conspirators began selling worthless and unnecessary computer programs and services.  They did this with online pop-up ads that said your computer had a problem that had to be fixed immediately through their company.  Or else you would get a message saying you had to call a toll-free number and allow a so-called service technician to gain access to your computer and you would be persuaded to buy unnecessary software or service contracts.  The three women are due in federal court in Tennessee next Monday (3/9).  Jennifer Sterk is Marilyn Sterk’s daughter-in-law, while Vanhaale is Marilyn Sterk’s daughter.

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