Telemarketer admits Internet scam of up to $75M

October 30, 2009 at 4:52p.m.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A former telemarketing company official admits he scammed small businesses out of millions by duping them into paying for Internet services without their consent.

Neal Saferstein of Mt. Laurel, N.J., pleaded guilty today to fraud and tax charges.

Authorities say the 36-year-old and two others defrauded up to 400,000 small businesses out of as much as $75 million from 2001 to 2004.

Their company, GoInternet, tricked customers into receiving information packets that triggered charges of about $30 a month.

Defense lawyer Carl Poplar did not immediately return a call for comment today.

Saferstein remains free on bond pending his sentencing in February.