A 45-year-old California man was arrested Jan. 25 and charged with operating an online phishing scheme that targeted America Online customers.
Jeffrey Brett Goodin of Azusa, Calif., was arrested and charged with wire fraud and unauthorized use of a credit card.
He could face 30 years in prison if convicted of both offenses.
Goodin is alleged to have sent e-mail messages to thousands of AOL users to entice them to visit fraudulent Web sites he set up to collect personal information.
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Goodin allegedly used the information he gathered to make purchases with the credit cards, according to a statement from Debra Yang, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California.
Goodin was arrested following an investigation by the U.S. Secret Service, FBI and the Ontario, Canada, Police Department.
He is scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 28 in U.S. District Court. ´
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