American fugitive William Paul Buckley, who conned expatriates in Argentina through fraudulent businesses, was sentenced in Colorado to 90 days in jail and ten years of probation in 2013. Despite his extensive scams in Buenos Aires and Córdoba, he has not faced charges in Argentina.
Background
- Name & Alias: William Paul Buckley, also known as Michael Nemetski.
- Date of Birth: May 10, 1984.
- Criminal Activity: Buckley fled Colorado in 2011 while facing fraud charges and relocated to Argentina.
Scams in Argentina
- Business Front: He launched a sham customer support company called Call South in Buenos Aires.
- Impact: Expats hired to work for him reported never being paid, while U.S. clients were left without services.
- Other Crimes: He stole from a hostel cash register, skipped out on bills, and abandoned rental payments.
- Community Response: Victims described him on expat forums as unreliable and often intoxicated.
Crimes in Colorado
- The Lease Brokers Scam: Buckley convinced car owners to hand over vehicles under false promises of loan payments, then resold them without titles.
- Residency: He lived in Denver’s LoDo district and funneled money into Mexican bank accounts to evade authorities.
Arrest and Sentencing
- Capture: Expats in Argentina helped expose his schemes, making it difficult for him to receive funds abroad.
- Return: Buckley was indicted in early 2012 and returned to Colorado later that year.
- Sentence: In April 2013, he pled guilty to felony theft, receiving 90 days in jail, 10 years probation, and $220,000 restitution (with $50,000 already paid).
Buckley’s case highlights how international fugitives exploit expat communities and the challenges of prosecuting crimes across borders. While victims in Argentina remain without justice, his conviction in Colorado demonstrates the role of community vigilance in exposing fraud.
Source: wander-argentina.org
