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Avoid Scams: These Are Top 10 Consumer Frauds Of 2023, NY AG Says
To honor National Consumer Protection Week, New York Attorney General Letitia James has revealed the most common fraud complaints faced by residents during 2023.
In an announcement on Monday, March 4, James said that these common complaints ranged from price gouging of much-needed goods and services to housing issues, online banking fraud, and even travel-related issues.
The top ten most common consumer complaints of 2023 in New York were:
Retail Sales: (Online purchases, price gouging, retail sales, defective merchandise, poor customer service, pet stores, animal breede…
Fake ICE Agent Sparks Investigation, Police Say
A man was allegedly caught posing as a Customs and Border Protection Officer on Long Island, prompting police to investigate potential fraud.
On Wednesday, Nov. 1, Andy Kwok, age 53, was arrested in a Levittown restaurant for pretending to be a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, according to Nassau County Police.
At approximately 11:20 a.m., Kwok, a resident of the hamlet of Delmar in Albany County, was dining at K City Hot Pot and Sushi, located at 3056 Hempstead Turnpike.
He was dressed as a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer, complete with a fraudulent ID car…
$18K Scam: Contractor Took Area Homeowner's Money, Never Did Work, Police Say
A homeowner in the region claims they were scammed out of thousands of dollars by a contractor who never actually did any work.
Saratoga County resident Dakota Smith, age 28, of Malta, was arrested Wednesday, Sept. 13, on fraud and larceny charges, according to State Police.
Troopers determined that Smith, who owns DAS Builders & Remodeling LLC, entered into an agreement with the Clifton Park homeowner for a renovation project.
The homeowner contacted police in June 2023 saying they gave Smith a deposit of over $18,000 but he never started the work or purchased the needed materials.
W…
Embattled Builder's Undue Lien Cost Homeowner In Region Over $140K, Police Say
The owner of a construction company in the region already accused of defrauding his contractors is facing more charges after allegedly placing an undue lien on a homeowner’s property, costing them over $100,000.
Albany County resident Aaron Godlewski, age 31, of Altamont, was arrested again Thursday, July 13, following an investigation by Saratoga Springs Police in Saratoga County.
According to police, the victim hired Godlewski’s company, Godlewski Builders, to build a home in Saratoga Springs.
Earlier Report: Altamont Home Builder Defrauded Multiple Contractors, Police Say
The vic…
Home Builder In Region Defrauded Multiple Contractors, Police Say
A home builder in the region is accused of failing to pay contractors for their work, in one case knowingly issuing a bad check, authorities said.
Aaron Godlewski, age 31, of Altamont, was arrested Tuesday, June 13, on suspicion of fraud and other charges, according to New York State Police.
Troopers were initially contacted in early May 2023 by a contractor who claimed he was issued a bad check by Godlewski, who was acting as a home builder and general contractor for Godlewski Builders LLC.
Investigators determined that Godlewski had been hired by multiple people in New Scotland, Altamont…
Bogus Businessman Charged With $65K Fraud In Hudson Valley
A nearly year-long investigation revealed that a 28-year-old opened a phony business account to steal $65,000, officials in the Hudson Valley say.
In Orange County, 28-year-old Reginald Williams, of Newburgh, was indicted and charged for allegedly stealing $65,000 from a real company on Wednesday, May 3, according to Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler.
Williams was arrested and arraigned in the Town of Warwick Justice Court on Wednesday, April 19, after a year-long, multi-agency investigation revealed that Williams, working by himself and with others, opened a …
Hudson Valley Man, Partner Sentenced For Roles In $1M Ponzi Scheme
A Westchester County man and his business partner have been sentenced for their roles in a nearly decade-long $1-million Ponzi scheme.
White Plains resident James Doyle, age 74, and Carl Carro, age 61, of Walton, Delaware, were convicted of defrauding investors in New York and throughout the nation.
On Thursday, Jan. 12, Carro was sentenced to four to eight years in prison, and Doyle was sentenced to five years probation, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced.
As part of their respective sentences, Carro and Doyle agreed to pay a total of more than $1 million in judgments …
