http://www.azstarnet.com/public/dnews/000831Rregionalbriefs.html Businessman indicted in $41 million fraud case The Arizona Daily Star
31.8.2000 PHOENIX - An Arizona businessman was indicted yesterday in one of the biggest dollar fraud cases ever prosecuted by the Arizona Attorney General's Office.

Benjamin Franklin Cook III was charged with 37 counts of racketeering, fraud and theft in connection with an investment scheme run by his company, Dennel Finance Ltd. The indictment alleges that Cook defrauded more than 300 investors of a total of $41 million.

If convicted, Cook, of Carefree, could face a sentence of up to several hundred years in prison.

Five government agencies investigated Cook's plan, which promised investors that their money would be placed in a European Bank trading program. They allege that he used the money to buy luxury items like cars, airplanes, a house and other real estate properties. Cook also donated $1.8 million to the Church of Scientology.

==== Two - not sure of these are them - can be found in the WISE 1997 list:

Collateral Equity Trust
Benjamin Cook
4839 E. Greenway Rd., Ste 187
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Tel. 602-280-9281
Fax 602-488-3376 Academy Publishing
Ben Cook
4727 E. Bell Rd., Ste. 45-112
Phoenix, AZ 85032
Tel. 602-488-8638
Fax 602-488-3376
A "Ben Cook" is also "founding member" of the SP Cornerstone Membership Honor Roll.

>Well, there goes 1.8 million. I doubt very much the victims will see that
>money again.

On the plus side, at least they'll get to enjoy the most colourful exploits of Benjamin Cook, fraudster (formerly) at large:

http://www.gamblingmagazine.com/articles/42/42-63.htm Chasing the wily Mr. Cook is so much fun, even the local narcotics squad wants to get into the action:

http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/hot-new/pressrel/1999/0317-02.htm Now, how did the adventures of Captain C(r)ook of WISE fame escape notice of the diligent researchers of a.r.s. for so long? It's FIN INV RPF for some luckless corporate entrail-reader!

K yeah, yeah, yeah -- I'm back.

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