Wisconsin couple convicted in phone scam targeting elderly victims

CEDAR RAPIDS - Two more people were convicted last week in federal court for their roles in a fraud scheme that targeted elderly people across the United States.

Michael Marcov, 26, and his wife Stephanie Marcov, 27, of Hazel Green, Wis., each pleaded guilty Friday to one count of wire fraud in U.S. District Court.

During plea hearings and in written plea agreements, the Marcovs admitted they participated in the telephone scheme, which involved making calls to victims and telling them one of the caller's relatives was in jail. They were then asked to wire money through Western Union or MoneyGram International for bail.

The Marcovs said they didn't make the calls to victims but admitted to being 'runners” in the scheme. The couple, in and around the Dubuque area, received the wire transfers from the victims and then wired the proceeds to other participants in the fraud. Some of the proceeds were being wired to other participants in the Dominican Republic.

Two other runners in the scheme were previously convicted. Shawn Vaassen pleaded guilty in March and Carlos Rodriguez pleaded guilty earlier this month.

Sentencing hasn't been set for the Marcovs. Michael Marcov remains in jail pending sentencing and Stephanie Marcov remains free on bond. Each face up to 20 years in prison, a fine and three years of supervised release following any prison term.

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