American Greed Episode 53: Major League Fraud

Case File

Major League Fraud

  • Capitol Investments USA
  • Nevin Shapiro runs Capitol Investments USA, a company that purports to be a successful grocery diverting operation. But unknown to his clients, Shapiro is on the take. He steals millions in investor loans to fund his lavish playboy lifestyle.
  • Tropical Indulgence
  • He lives in a five million dollar mansion, enjoys a yacht and the best spot in any nightclub in Miami's trendy South Beach. Shapiro's high profile friends include athletes from the University of Miami football team. He's a die-hard Hurricanes fan and big-time donor to the university.
  • End Game
  • In 2008 as the global economy crumbles, the foundation of Shapiro's fraud begins to crack and the extent of his deception makes the headlines. Shapiro is running a Ponzi scheme. Facing jail time, Shapiro begins to seek revenge on those he once considered friends — including the UM Hurricanes.

Web Extras

  • The Victims

    Kevin Cohen victims, Michael and Ilysse Rhomberg, explain how Kevin earned their trust.

  • Kevin-Cohen-200.jpg
    By: Lindsay Nadrich,|CNBC Production Associate

    Michael Rhomberg and his wife, Ilysse, were ready to expand their family. Excited to adopt, the Rhomberg’s found self-proclaimed adoption specialist Kevin Cohen. But, it was all a scam.

  • In this 2009 Capitol Investments USA pitch to investors, a cash-hungry Nevin Shapiro fabricates the details of his business in efforts to keep his Ponzi scheme afloat.

  • As Nevin Shapiro's scheme starts to fall apart, an investor sends the conman this pleading email.