Man charged in online nude photo scheme

DEPEW, N.Y. (WIVB) - Police snared a Depew man they say was running an online Facebook scam that convinced women across the state to send him scantily clad or nude photos.

Authorities say Todd Nicosia of Banko Drive set up a Facebook page under a fictitious name, "Katherine Legos," and claimed to be a representative of "Next Modeling" agency in New York City. Under this account, detectives say Nicosia offered women large sums of money to send him photos of themselves in "Sleep Wear," a popular clothing line.

Nicosia allegedly told the women they would also be invited to a modeling shoot in Rochester later this year. And some were told that they could be cast in a pornographic movie for additional money. Nicosia reportedly convinced those victims to also send him nude photos, with the promise of extra money.

Police caught on to Nicosia's alleged scam after one of his reported victims became suspicious about the urgency of his request. Detectives tracked Nicosia through his e-mail account. Nicosia turned himself over to police on Sunday.

Depew Police were assisted by detectives from the Lancaster and Cheektowaga Police Departments, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice and say no child pornography was present on Nicosia's computer.

He has been charged with criminal impersonation, aggravated harassment and scheme to defraud.