John Kuhlmann, a 79-year-old resident of Daytona Beach, Florida, has been sentenced to pay more than $1 million in restitution and serve three years of supervised release for his role in a computer tech support fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims across the United States. The sentence was handed down after Kuhlmann was found to have operated an unlicensed money transmitting business as part of the scheme.
According to court records, Kuhlmann began operating two businesses in Florida—Seminole Services, Inc. and QB Accounting Services—in November 2018. While these businesses claimed to offer computer technical services, neither was registered as a money transmitting service as required by law. Instead, they were used to collect money from elderly victims under false pretenses and then transfer those funds to co-conspirators overseas. The fraud involved convincing victims that their computers had been compromised or their financial information was at risk, leading some to pay up to $150,000 for supposed repair services. In total, approximately $3.5 million passed through Kuhlmann’s business accounts.
United States Attorney John P. Heekin stated: “This despicable fraudster facilitated the financial exploitation of several elderly victims, robbing them of not only their money, but of their dignity, while lining his own pockets and those of his co-conspirators. My office will deploy every available legal resource to enforce the substantial restitution judgment entered against this offender to return as much stolen money to the victims as possible. I deeply appreciate the excellent investigative work by our state and federal law enforcement partners that led to his arrest and the dismantling of this fraud scheme, and urge residents to remain vigilant to similar schemes targeting the elderly.”
Seth Reister, Resident Agent in Charge at the United States Secret Service Tallahassee Resident Office said: “The Secret Service is committed to protecting our nation’s financial infrastructure from threats both foreign and domestic. That commitment is reflected in the outstanding work of our Special Agents and their investigative and prosecutorial partners in the Northern District of Florida. This investigation, prosecution, and sentencing highlight the real costs of elder fraud schemes, not only in dollars lost, but in the very real harm inflicted on some of our most vulnerable citizens.”
Bladismir Rojo, Inspector in Charge with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Miami Division added: “This long-term investigation proved the defendant was intimately involved with a scheme to defraud our elderly and its resolution exemplifies the high level of dedication demonstrated by all agencies involved to bring this defendant to justice. We, along with our law enforcement partners, remain committed to dismantling transnational criminal organizations that target our nation’s most vulnerable population.”
The investigation into Kuhlmann’s activities was conducted jointly by the United States Secret Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Leon County Sheriff’s Office.
Individuals over age 60 who believe they have experienced financial fraud can contact professionals at the National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-FRAUD-11), which provides personalized support including assistance with reporting incidents and connecting callers with relevant agencies.
Further resources for seniors affected by scams are available through various government websites such as www.justice.gov/elderjustice for elder justice initiatives; www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch for consumer protection enforcement; www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or 877-FTC-HELP for filing complaints with the Federal Trade Commission; and www.ovc.gov via the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida handles federal prosecutions in its region under guidance from the Attorney General. Public court documents can be accessed through its website at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
