New Haven Man Admits Defrauding eBay Customers

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that YOCHANAN LEVITANSKY, 22, of Crescent Street, New Haven, pleaded guilty today before Senior United States District Judge Peter C. Dorsey in New Haven to one count of wire fraud stemming from an Internet fraud scheme.

to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, in approximately April 2007, LEVITANSKY began operating “Bluetooth Kings LLC,” a business that sold mobile telephones and Bluetooth headsets through the Internet site eBay. In May 2008, LEVITANSKY began selling telecommunication devices on eBay with no intention of delivering products to his customers. During that time, approximately 1077 customers paid LEVITANSKY for telecommunication devices that they never received. The total loss to eBay, which reimbursed many of LEVITANSKY's customers, was approximately $237,257.

Judge Dorsey has scheduled sentencing for September 9, 2009, at which time LEVITANSKY faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000. LEVITANSKY also will be required to make restitution to eBay and to any other victims of his crime.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward Chang.

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