Fugitive caught after Facebook updates

Fraudster discovered in Cancun

14 October 2009 10:53 GMT / By Duncan Geere

Maxi Sopo, a Camaroon-born fraudster on the run from US authorities, has been arrested in the Mexican beach resort of Cancun after posting about what a lovely time he was having in a series of Facebook status updates.

The updates were seen by a former US Justice Dept official who he'd added to his friends list. The man in question, who hasn't been named, said that he'd only met Mr Sopo a few times and didn't know that he was a fugitive. Mr Sopo had falsely obtained more than $200,000 in credit from banks, according to the US authorities.

Sopo's status updates said that he was "born to party", "loving it", said he was "living in paradise" and that he was "just here to have fun". The Justice Dept official worked out where he lived and tipped off the Mexican police, who then arrested him.

"He was definitely not living the way we wanted him to be living, given the charges he was facing", said assistant US attorney Michael Scoville. "He was making posts about how beautiful life is and how he was having a good time with his buddies".

So if you're reading this, and on the run, then we advise you leave a comment below letting us know what a fantastic time you're having. We promise we won't tell anyone. Honest!

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