NEW YORK – Federal authorities Wednesday arrested a Bayville, NJ couple on charges that they ran a “work-at-home” business that defrauded people, including some in the Mid-Hudson Valley, by tricking them into sending money under the pretense that they were enrolling in a program that would allow them to earn income at home.

The couple made more than a million dollars with their scheme, authorities charge.  The consumers typically got nothing in return for their payment, the feds said.

Charged with one count of mail fraud are husband and wife Philip Pestrichello and Rosalie Florie, who, if convicted, could face up to 20 years in prison.

Federal and state authorities received complaints from victims across the US including in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam and Westchester counties.

Since June 2007, the couple ran the business using the US mail, the Internet and classified print ads, promising consumers the opportunity to earn a “weekly paycheck” by labeling postcards that advertised a product called the “Mortgage Accelerator Program.”

To participate in the program, consumers were required to pay an up-front enrollment fee of $80 to $90 and $10 to $15 extra for those wanting rush shipping.   The majority of consumers received no money after paying the up-front fee and labeling and returning the postcards as instructed.

By the time many consumers realized they were not receiving any paychecks at all, they had already sent in between $150 and $350.