NEWARK, N.J. — After years on the run, a long-time international fugitive has been extradited from Italy to the United States to face federal charges in a massive mail fraud scheme that allegedly scammed over $10 million from elderly and vulnerable Americans.
Georg Ingenbleek, 58, a German national, was indicted in 2020 and remained a fugitive until his 2024 arrest in Bolzano, Italy. He was extradited to the U.S. and arrived via Newark Liberty International Airport, where he made his initial court appearance on May 9, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of mail fraud and was ordered held without bail.
According to U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, from 2011 to 2016, Ingenbleek operated a fraudulent direct mail campaign that preyed on U.S. residents through letters claiming to be from “world-renowned psychics.” The letters falsely promised financial rewards or good fortune based on psychic visions.
Though pitched as free, recipients were later billed $20 to $50 and sent aggressive collection notices falsely threatening legal action for nonpayment. Ingenbleek allegedly oversaw two U.S.-based companies, one in Piscataway, New Jersey, that helped print, mail, and manage the operation.
Prosecutors say the scheme took in over $10 million, exploiting the trust of elderly victims. As federal scrutiny mounted in 2016, Ingenbleek allegedly instructed associates to destroy incriminating evidence. In one email, he urged a partner to “start today, work all weekend” to eliminate materials tied to the scam.
Each count of mail fraud carries up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gain or loss caused by the crime.
The case was built through a global effort involving the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS-Criminal Investigation Newark, HSI New York and Rome, and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Fayer and Olta Bejleri of the Economic Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.
Ingenbleek is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
