Identical twins accused in financial scam

Makara Nkhereanya (r.) and Tsele Nkhereanye (l.), 38, were arrested and indicted for stealing $2 million from 30 victims in a securities fraud scheme. (Pic:NYDailyNews)

NEW YORK, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Two identical twins in New York are accused of scamming nearly 30 people out $3 million by pretending to be successful stock brokers, prosecutors said.

The New York Daily News said Wednesday that Makara Nkhereanye and his twin brother, Tsele, are charged with grand larceny, securities fraud and a scheme to defraud in connection with the alleged investment scheme.

The two 38-year-old men were ordered held on $1.5 million bail after entering innocent pleas to the charges. They each face as much as 25 years in prison if convicted.

Manhattan State Supreme Justice Laura Ward said the investment scheme allegedly perpetrated by the twin brothers took advantage of unsuspecting investors, leaving a number of those individuals essentially penniless.

"When you take somebody's livelihood that sometimes is tantamount to killing them," Ward said.

The Daily News said the defendants allegedly began their scheme in 1999 and two New York city firefighters are among their alleged victims.

(Edit:Ruby)