9 Phoenix residents indicted in telemarketing scam

PHOENIX -- Nine Phoenix residents are facing federal charges in Missouri for their alleged roles in a telemarketing scheme.

Phoenix IRS spokesman Brian Watson said Friday the agency, the Arizona Attorney General's Office and the FBI are all investigating.

According the U.S. Attorney's Office of Missouri, all nine have been indicted on wire and bank fraud, money laundering and other charges.

The indictment, which was unsealed last week, states the fraudulent enterprise began sometime before 2013 until July 2015.

The defendants allegedly sold fictitious business opportunities under several business names and entities, including Smart Business Pros LLC of Warson Woods, Missouri.

Prosecutors said they made $10 million in sales and targeted clients older than 55.

If convicted, they could face up to 30 years in prison.