Watch CBS News

NY suspect in cellphone scam caught in Mass.

(AP) PEABODY, Mass. - A New York man wanted by the U.S. Secret Service for his alleged role in a multimillion dollar cellphone cloning scam has been turned over to federal agents after a brief state court hearing in Massachusetts.

Police in Peabody say they pulled over an SUV just before 3 a.m. Saturday. They say 30-year-old Miguel Argenys Jesurum was driving, but tried to switch places with a female passenger. Police say he appeared nervous, gave officers a false name and did not have a driver's license. Finger printing at the station determined his real identity.

Authorities say Jesurum is allegedly part of a ring that stole information from cellphone accounts and used it to create a black market in international calls.

State traffic charges were dropped Monday and Jesurum was turned over to the Secret Service.

According to a Secret Service press release (PDF), the scheme was worth about $250 million. Jesurum and a partner had been placed on the U.S. Secret Service Most Wanted Fugitives list on February 17.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.