JORDAN EDWARD DIAS, 39, of Seattle, Washington, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to Mail Fraud. DIAS admits he defrauded more than 100 people of $94,073 by advertising and selling items on eBay which he never delivered. Mail Fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. DIAS is a citizen of Portugal, whose immigration status may be affected by his felony conviction. DIAS is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ricardo Martinez on September 7, 2007.

According to the plea agreement, between May of 2002, and January of 2006, DIAS offered a variety of goods, including computer and camera equipment, for sale on eBay. He established a number of accounts with both eBay and PayPal. DIAS used a variety of names and online identifications. DIAS changed internet service providers, email addresses, telephone, bank and credit card account numbers multiple times in an effort to avoid detection. DIAS also opened multiple bank accounts for receipt of victims’ funds. DIAS collected more than $94,000 from people who thought they were purchasing items DIAS offered for sale, but the customers never received the items they had purchased. DIAS would use debit cards mailed to him by PayPal, or wire transfers from PayPal accounts, to access the money he had fraudulently obtained.

As part of his plea agreement, DIAS will pay $75,129 to eBay and PayPal and to would-be buyers of items he offered for sale.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn Warma as part of the Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Unit (CHIP) of the United States Attorney’s Office.

For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206) 553-4110.

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