Facebook Trips Up High-Living Fugitive

Fugitives of the world, take note: If you’re having the time of your life hanging out in Cancun, you probably shouldn’t brag about it on Facebook. And you definitely shouldn’t add an ex-Justice Department official as a friend. Take it from Maxi Sopo, a 26-year-old who had spent the last seven months on the lamb after allegedly helping to mastermind a bank fraud scheme.

Sopo was living in an apartment in Cancun, working at a hotel, and posting updates saying he was “living in paradise” and “loving it.” A Secret Service agent found the Facebook page, but it was open only to friends. So he scanned Sopo’s friend list, and discovered one person listed an affiliation with the Justice Department. When an assistant US attorney contacted him, he swiftly turned over his new “friend” upon learning of his background.