FBI searches for suspect in fraud case

Kim Smith

Friday, Dec. 17, 1999 | 10:19 a.m.

The FBI is asking for the public's help in locating a Las Vegas resident wanted in connection with a national telemarketing scam.

Martin D. Voss, 34, was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 1998 on two counts of wire fraud and aiding and abetting, FBI Special Agent Kevin Caudle said.

FBI agents believe Voss was part of a telemarketing group calling itself the Winner's Circle, Caudle said.

Caudle said members of the group, who were located in Nevada, Georgia and California, would call elderly and vulnerable victims, inform them they had won large cash prizes and then convince them that in order to receive the prize they had to pay a fee.

Hundreds of victims from all over the country wired more than $1.2 million to the group, Caudle said.

The group used cellular phones, phone cards, cloned cell phones and regular telephones in the hopes of avoiding detection, Caudle said.

Seven people were indicted federally in connection with the case, Caudle said. Two others are being prosecuted by the Nevada attorney general's office and five others are being tried by Georgia and California authorities.

Caudle said the FBI has information leading them to believe Voss is in the Las Vegas area.

Anyone with information about Voss' whereabouts is asked to call the FBI at 385-1281.