Has John Ruffo Been Found? Where is John Ruffo Today? Update
As somebody who has not solely been convicted as a white-collar felony however can also be thought-about a grasp manipulator, John Ruffo is likely one of the most harmful con males there has ever been. In spite of everything, as explored on ‘Have You Seen This Man?,’ he engineered one of the crucial vital financial…
As somebody who has not solely been convicted as a white-collar felony however can also be thought-about a grasp manipulator, John Ruffo is likely one of the most harmful con males there has ever been. In spite of everything, as explored on ‘Have You Seen This Man?,’ he engineered one of the crucial vital financial institution frauds in US historical past earlier than merely vanishing and not using a hint left behind, resulting in an extremely intense manhunt. So now, if you happen to want to be taught extra about his peculiar previous, skillful deceptions, bewildering offenses, sudden flight, and attainable present whereabouts, right here’s all that we all know.
Who’s John Ruffo?
Born to a working-class household in Brooklyn, New York, in November 1954, John Ruffo all the time had the potential to do wonders, as evidenced by his attending New York College on a scholarship. That’s why it got here as no shock when the graduate selected to department out from United Laptop Methods LLC to determine his personal agency, Consolidated Laptop Companies (CCS). Nonetheless, issues began to show round in 1993, after John was approached by Edward Reiners — an entrepreneur and a former government at Philip Morris tobacco firm — with a scheme in contrast to another.
The scheme in query concerned soliciting numerous banks in an try to safe hundreds of thousands within the title of capital for “Challenge Star,” a fictitious top-secret analysis effort to develop smoke-free cigarettes. Not solely did the duo depend upon Edward’s prior reference to Philip Morris to make their claims plausible, however in addition they alleged that John’s pc firm can be offering {hardware} for a similar. Subsequently, in lower than three years, they managed to swindle over $350 million (equal to round $633 million in 2022) from numerous banks all throughout the area.
As per studies, John all the time made well timed curiosity funds on the loans to keep away from any suspicion, however their ruse nonetheless fell aside in early 1996 owing to an inconsistency on the cast paperwork they used. They have been arrested following a sting operation by the FBI, and that’s when it got here to gentle that aside from investing on Wall Road to turn out to be a high-roller, John additionally spent the cash on fine wines, gambling, and indulgent motels. He loved touring and was pc savvy; John was additionally a “storyteller, somebody who preferred to stretch the reality, and had a want to impress others.”
John confronted a 150-count indictment for financial institution fraud, cash laundering, wire fraud, and conspiracy, main his bail — set at $10 million — to match the seriousness of his crime. He was ultimately convicted and sentenced to 17½ years in federal jail however was allowed to stay free on bail till the beginning of his scheduled stint behind bars — from November 9, 1998, onwards.
Nonetheless, as an alternative of reporting to the New Jersey facility that day, John rented a automobile, drove to Queens to show in his ankle monitor (as anticipated), went to a close-by ATM to take out round $600 in money, after which headed to JFK. Regardless of being deemed a flight danger, he had no escort, which virtually allowed him to go away the automobile in a long-term car parking zone and easily disappear.
The place is John Ruffo Now? Has He Been Discovered?
It’s been over 23 years, and there have been no confirmed sightings of John Ruffo for the reason that day CCTV footage caught him withdrawing cash at a Queens ATM in November 1998. Again in 2016, the US Marshals did get a tip suggesting he was in Los Angeles by an early August Dodgers recreation, but it was clarified in 2021 that the person having fun with baseball from about 4 rows behind the house plate was not John, simply somebody who seemed strikingly related.
John now sits on the US Marshals 15 Most Needed Fugitives checklist, with the officers claiming he may even be dwelling abroad, particularly contemplating his identified ties within the Caribbean, South America, and Europe. There have been connections between the “grasp manipulator” and Italy, Greece, in addition to Switzerland earlier than, however he has by no means truly been positioned. John, who’s 67 as of writing, is assessed as “armed & harmful” by the service and has beforehand used aliases like Jack Nitz, Bruce Gregory, John Peters, and Charles Sanders.
A reward of as much as $25,000 is being provided for any data resulting in the convicted hustler’s arrest. If something regarding his case or whereabouts, please don’t hesitate to contact the authorities. You’ll be able to name the US Marshals Service Communication Middle at 1-800-336-0102, tip at 1-877-WANTED2 (926-8332), submit the main points by the company’s web site, or straight attain out to the closest district workplace or US Embassy/Consulate.
It’s believed that John Ruffo’s disappearance was significantly aided by the $13+ million that has by no means been recovered, although the FBI froze each single one among his identified property/financial institution accounts following his arrest.
Learn Extra: The place is John Ruffo’s Spouse Now?
