Nassau County District Attorney Denis Dillon announced that the DA's Technology Crime Unit of the Criminal Frauds Bureau has arrested Alexis Levine, 25, of Farmingdale for defrauding many individuals throughout the United States and Canada over the Internet.

According to Dillon, "In February of 2005 the Internet Crime Complaint Center (run by the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center) referred multiple complaints to my office regarding the internet business practices of Alexis Levine of Farmingdale. Upon further investigation, we discovered that between March and August of 2004, Levine auctioned musical instruments, cell phones, computers and theme park tickets over e-Bay, an internet auction web site. Levine had used multiple Screen Names/User ID's in order to carry out this scam, they are mishelabella, jennyrosemusic, collectivepawnstuff, italiansteakbeauty, jopeighmn and floridababy64. After receiving payment for the items she would deposit the checks, money orders, etc. into her Nassau Educators Federal Credit Union account and then would never ship out the products she had sold. To date, we have identified 14 victims of Levine's scam. Some examples of this scheme include:

Walt Disney World Theme Park tickets for $585 to a complainant in Gresham, Oregon. Payment was made and the tickets were never delivered.

Another victim from British Columbia, Canada purchased and Armstrong Open Hole flute from Levine over e-Bay for $121.75 (American) and never received the flute or refund.

A couple in Marion, Louisiana purchased a Dell Inspiron 1100 laptop computer from Levine over e-Bay for $680, they to never received the laptop or a refund.

A woman in Burlington, Connecticut purchased a Dell 9100 from Levine over e-Bay for $2,060. She to never received the computer or a refund.

A woman in Summerville, South Carolina purchased a Gliga Viola, Model Maestro with case for $212.50. She never received the viola or refund.

A gentleman in Houston, Texas purchased a Nokia 3200 cell phone from Levine over e-Bay for $109. He never received the cell phone or refund.

A man in Quakertown, Pennsylvania purchased a Buffet E-11 clarinet from Levine over e-Bay for $346. He never received the clarinet or a refund.

Lastly a woman in Kansas City, Missouri purchased a Dell Inspiron 600m notebook computer from Levine over e-Bay for $942.50. She never received the computer or a refund."

Levine has been charged with Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a Class E Felony, punishable by up to four years in prison. Additional charges may be filed in this matter.

"If you are going to shop on an auction site, it is important that you check the customer feedback and that you only deal with people who have excellent ratings," said Dillon. "If you are dealing with an unknown seller only deal in small amounts, keep copies of all correspondence associated with the sale/purchase of your items and notify the Internet Crime Complaint Center and the appropriate law enforcement personnel if any problems should arise. The internet is a powerful tool but unfortunately has become a powerful tool for those looking to take advantage of others. It is imperative that you exercise caution while utilizing the internet."

Levine was arraigned in District Court in Hempstead on Tuesday, March 8. The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.