Press Release
For Immediate Release
October 9, 2009

Washington D.C.
FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691


FBI’s Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending October 9, 2009

1. Los Angeles: 100 Linked to Computer Hacking Ring Charged by U.S. and Egypt in Operation Phish Phry

One hundred defendants were indicted as a result of Operation Phish Phry, a multinational cyber crime investigation conducted in the United States and Egypt that uncovered a sophisticated phishing operation. The defendants fraudulently collected personal information from thousands of victims, using it to defraud American banks. Operation Phish Phry marks the first joint cyber investigation between Egyptian law enforcement authorities and United States officials. Full Story

2. Denver: Mohammed Zazi Indicted for False Statement Involving International and Domestic Terrorism

Mohammed Zazi was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver for making a false statement in a matter involving international and domestic terrorism. Zazi was first arrested by the FBI based on a criminal complaint filed on September 19, 2009. Full Story

3. Dallas: Federal Grand Jury Indicts Man for Attempting to Bomb Dallas Skyscraper

A federal grand jury in Dallas has charged Hosam Maher Husein Smadi with offenses stemming from his attempt to bomb a skyscraper in downtown Dallas. It is expected that Smadi will make his initial appearance on these charges before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Dallas next week. Full Story

4.Springfield: Grand Jury Indicts Man Previously Charged with Attempt to Bomb Courthouse and Murder Federal Employees

A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Michael C. Finton, as previously charged in a criminal complaint, with attempted murder of a federal officer or employee and attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction (explosives) against property owned by the United States. Finton was arrested on September 23, 2009, in connection with an alleged plot to detonate a vehicle bomb at the federal courthouse in Springfield. Full Story

5. New York: Bonanno Organized Crime Family Members and Associates Indicted

A 33-count indictment was unsealed in Brooklyn federal court charging members and associates of the Bonanno organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra with racketeering-related charges, firearms violations, bank fraud, illegal gambling, extortion, extortion conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and perjury. Full Story

6. Kansas City: Moldovan National Pleads Guilty to Forced Labor Trafficking

Alexandru Frumusache, a Moldovan national residing in Kansas City, Missouri, pleaded guilty in federal court for his role in a forced labor trafficking scheme that victimized workers in 14 states. Full Story

7. FBI Headquarters: FBI Conducts Training for U.S. and Central American Law Enforcement Partners

During October, 27 law enforcement officers from six domestic agencies and six international agencies are participating in the Central American Law Enforcement Exchange program in the U.S. and El Salvador. Full Story

8. Pittsburgh: 55 Members and Associates of the Pagans Motorcycle Club Indicted

A 44-count indictment was unsealed charging 55 members and associates of the Pagans Motorcycle Club with numerous violent crimes such as kidnapping, racketeering, robbery, extortion, and conspiracy to commit murder. Full Story

9. Dallas: Federal Jury Returns Guilty Verdicts in Dallas City Hall Corruption Case

A federal jury convicted former Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill, his wife Sheila Farrington Hill, and several others in connection with a bribery and extortion scheme. Full Story

10. Boston: Three Chinese Nationals, Two Corporations Charged Export Violations

Three nationals of the People’s Republic of China and two corporations were charged in federal court with conspiring over a period of 10 years to illegally export defense articles designated on the United States Munitions List and Commerce-controlled electronics components to end-users in China, including several Chinese military entities. Full Story

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