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Bank Fraud

$12.6M Scheme: New Rochelle Man Tried Cashing COVID Relief Check For Hospital, DA Says $12.6M Scheme: New Rochelle Man Tried Cashing COVID Relief Check For Hospital, DA Says
$12.6M Scheme: New Rochelle Man Tried Cashing COVID Relief Check For Hospital, DA Says A 24-year-old Westchester man is one of eight gang members accused of trying to steal a COVID-19 relief check worth over $12 million and using it to instead purchase luxury items, officials announced.  New Rochelle resident Souleman Traore, also known as "Solo," was one of eight alleged members or associates of the "Shiesty 66" gang indicted for a bank fraud scheme involving federal COVID relief funds, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark announced on Friday, Oct. 18. According to Clark's office, the investigation leading to the arrests began in November 2021 after a report of shots fi…
$9.6M Scheme: Businessman Admits To Fraud Involving Banks, Including 1 In Hudson Valley $9.6M Scheme: Businessman Admits To Fraud Involving Banks, Including 1 In Hudson Valley
$9.6M Scheme: Businessman Admits To Fraud Involving Banks, Including 1 In Hudson Valley The owner of a New York business admitted to running a multimillion-dollar check-kiting scheme to keep his company operating. Long Island resident John B. Mensch, age 54, pleaded guilty in connection with a nearly year-long fraud conspiracy involving banks in Suffolk County and the Hudson Valley, federal authorities announced Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 2. Mensch, of Quogue, faces up to five years’ imprisonment as well as financial penalties, including restitution to the two banks of approximately $9.6 million. According to court filings, Mensch was the owner and operator of East End, a…
4 Suspects Nabbed After Trying To Access Victim's Bank Account In Hudson Valley: Police 4 Suspects Nabbed After Trying To Access Victim's Bank Account In Hudson Valley: Police
4 Suspects Nabbed After Trying To Access Victim's Bank Account In Hudson Valley: Police Four people, including a Connecticut resident, face attempted identity theft charges after trying to withdraw funds from a victim's account at a Hudson Valley bank, police said.  The arrests were made following an incident that began in Putnam County at around 9:50 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, when the Hudson Valley Credit Union at 1620 Route 22 in Southeast reported a fraudulent incident, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced on Friday, Sept. 13.  According to the Sheriff's Office, the bank reported that a woman had entered and tried to present fraudulent documents to…
Ex-Cuomo, Hochul Aide Raked In Millions Acting As Undisclosed Agent Of Chinese Government: Feds Ex-Cuomo, Hochul Aide Raked In Millions Acting As Undisclosed Agent Of Chinese Government: Feds
Ex-Cuomo, Hochul Aide Raked In Millions Acting As Undisclosed Agent Of Chinese Government: Feds This story has been updated. A former aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is accused of acting as an agent for the Chinese government. Long Island residents Linda Sun, age 41, and her husband Chris Hu, age 40, were arrested at their Manhasset home on Tuesday morning, Sept. 3, on charges of violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, money laundering, and related charges. According to federal prosecutors, Sun – who served as Hochul’s deputy chief of staff before being fired in 2023 – engaged in numerous political activities at the behest of Chinese government …
Mount Vernon Postal Carrier Took Credit Cards, Checks From Mail, Stole Identities: Feds Mount Vernon Postal Carrier Took Credit Cards, Checks From Mail, Stole Identities: Feds
Mount Vernon Postal Carrier Took Credit Cards, Checks From Mail, Stole Identities: Feds A Westchester County postal carrier from Long Island faces federal charges after taking credit cards, checks, and identities from the mail to steal money from those along her route, officials announced.  Nassau County resident Tameka Babulal of Hempstead, age 36, was arrested in connection with the alleged identity theft scheme on Wednesday, May 22, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced. Babulal, a mail carrier who worked in the Westchester County city of Mount Vernon, was arrested along with her husband, Hempstead resident 36-year-old Joel Babul…
$3 Million Scheme: NY Financial Advisor Sentenced For Fraud $3 Million Scheme: NY Financial Advisor Sentenced For Fraud
$3 Million Scheme: NY Financial Advisor Sentenced For Fraud A New York financial advisor will be spending time behind bars after he admitted to defrauding a local bank out of millions. Long Island resident Gary Confredo, a 61-year-old from East Northport, received his sentence of 42 months on Tuesday, May 14, the United States Attorney's Office Eastern District of New York announced. Confredo, also known as Gary Conte, is the former operator of Goldstar Financial Management Corporation, a financial services business based in Commack. Original Story: East Northport Financial Advisor Admits To $3M Bank Loan Scheme However, between November…
$20M Scheme: Former Westchester Resident Steals Funds From Bank For Investment Firm, Feds Say $20M Scheme: Former Westchester Resident Steals Funds From Bank For Investment Firm, Feds Say
$20M Scheme: Former Westchester Resident Steals Funds From Bank For Investment Firm, Feds Say A former Westchester resident faces charges after allegedly stealing funds from a bank through lines of credit totaling $20 million for the multi-million-dollar municipal tax lien investment firm that he founded, federal officials announced.  John Arthur Hanratty, a 49-year-old New York-licensed attorney who lived in Rye until 2019 before moving to San Juan, Puerto Rico, was arrested on fraud charges in connection with a scheme to steal money from a bank for his investment firm, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York said. According to federal officials,&nb…
New Yorkers At Risk Of Scam Calls, Attorney General Warns New Yorkers At Risk Of Scam Calls, Attorney General Warns
New Yorkers At Risk Of Scam Calls, Attorney General Warns As New Yorkers across the state report being contacted by scammers impersonating their banks, officials are cautioning consumers to keep their eyes peeled. In a statement on Friday, Oct. 27, NY Attorney General Letitia James provided tips to avoid getting scammed by callers pretending to be bank or government officials. “Scammers claiming to be a trusted bank, or any institution relied on for financial services, can seriously harm New Yorkers by taking their money and their personal information,” she said. James said the Office of the Attorney General has been receiving calls from New Y…
$760K Check Scheme: Westchester Man Nabbed For 'Malicious Fraud,' Feds Say $760K Check Scheme: Westchester Man Nabbed For 'Malicious Fraud,' Feds Say
$760K Check Scheme: Westchester Man Nabbed For 'Malicious Fraud,' Feds Say A 26-year-old Westchester man who was arrested while hiding under his co-conspirator’s couch now faces charges in connection to a $760,000 check fraud scheme that victimized several people and their businesses, officials announced.  Mount Vernon resident Ishmael Benreuben, age 26, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Oct. 10 to participating in a scheme involving the deposit of around $760,000 in fraudulent checks into bank accounts in several states, the US Attorney's Office for Southern District of New York announced. According to federal officials, between September 2021 and March 2…
Former Detective, 4 Other Men Nabbed For Robbing Homes In Westchester, Rest Of Country Former Detective, 4 Other Men Nabbed For Robbing Homes In Westchester, Rest Of Country
Former Detective, 4 Other Men Nabbed For Robbing Homes In Westchester, Rest Of Country A former New York City Police Department detective and four other men have been charged as members of an organized crew that conducted residential robberies across the country, including Westchester.  The unsealing of the five suspects' indictments was announced on Thursday, June 8 by the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.  The five men charged with participating in the string of violent armed robberies are:  Bronx resident Dagoberto Soto-Ramirez, age 41, also known as "Pito"; Queens resident Saul Arismendy De La Cruz, age 31, also known as "Nene" a…
Card Skimming Devices Found At Bank ATM In Westchester: Users Should Check Accounts, Police Say Card Skimming Devices Found At Bank ATM In Westchester: Users Should Check Accounts, Police Say
Card Skimming Devices Found At Bank ATM In Westchester: Users Should Check Accounts, Police Say Authorities are warning people to check their bank accounts after two card skimming devices were found at a bank's ATM in Westchester, police said.  Two incidents of card skimming devices were found installed on an ATM located at a Webster Bank in Yonkers at 760 McLean Ave., according to Yonkers Police.  The devices, which can be found at ATM machines, gas station fuel pumps, outdoor point-of-sale locations, and even some indoor locations, are used to steal people's bank card information.  They can often lead to fraudulent charges on victims' bank accounts. Because of t…
$40M Fraud: Fairfield County Business Owner Admits To Scam, Could 30 Years In Prison, SDNY Says $40M Fraud: Fairfield County Business Owner Admits To Scam, Could 30 Years In Prison, SDNY Says
$40M Fraud: Fairfield County Business Owner Admits To Scam, Could 30 Years In Prison, Sdny Says A "brazen" insurance company owner from Fairfield County admitted to $40 million of insurance fraud that paid for expenses relating to boating, luxury cars, and golf, officials say.  In a New York federal court, Anthony Riccardi, of New Canaan, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud on Tuesday, Feb. 21, according to the office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.  Riccardi, the 50-percent co-owner and executive vice president of Employee Benefit Solutions LLC, a Connecticut insurance firm, was …
$65M Ponzi Scheme: Former NY Hedge Fund Manager Admits To Lending Fraud $65M Ponzi Scheme: Former NY Hedge Fund Manager Admits To Lending Fraud
$65M Ponzi Scheme: Former NY Hedge Fund Manager Admits To Lending Fraud A former bond trader and hedge fund manager in New York could spend decades in federal prison for defrauding his friends and lending institutions out of over $65 million. Nassau County resident Jeffrey Parket, age 59, of Great Neck, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bank fraud in federal court in Manhattan on Wednesday, Feb. 15. According to the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District, Parket swindled his victims out of millions of dollars between 2016 and December 2021 by lying about his financial condition and pledging fake collateral in order to obtain short-term loans. He claime…
Former NY Legislator, Ex-Girlfriend Both Convicted Of Defrauding Business Of $250K Former NY Legislator, Ex-Girlfriend Both Convicted Of Defrauding Business Of $250K
Former NY Legislator, Ex-Girlfriend Both Convicted Of Defrauding Business Of $250K A former county legislator in New York and an accomplice from Connecticut have been convicted by a jury of scamming a business out of more than a quarter of a million dollars. George Guldi, who served as a Long Island legislator representing the South Fork of Suffolk County, and Litchfield County resident Victoria Davidson, of Lakeville, Connecticut, defrauded Ditech Financial LLC, a mortgage lender, Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced. “George Guldi, while in prison, concocted and conducted a scheme along with his co-consp…
Ex-Director Of NY Charity Sentenced For Embezzling Over $1M Ex-Director Of NY Charity Sentenced For Embezzling Over $1M
Ex-Director Of NY Charity Sentenced For Embezzling Over $1M The former executive director of a New York charity is heading to federal prison after being convicted of embezzling more than $1 million to fund a life of luxury. Long Island resident Wafa Abboud, age 55, of Merrick, was sentenced to nearly three years behind bars in federal court in Brooklyn on Wednesday, Jan. 11.  It followed her convictions on charges of embezzling funds, bank fraud, and money laundering after a two-week jury trial in July 2019. Earlier Report: Ex-Director Convicted Of Stealing Nearly $1M From Long Island Charity Prosecutors said Abboud ran Human First, a no…
Police In Hudson Valley Help Catch Suspects Of Nationwide 'Felony Lane Gang' Fraud Scheme Police In Hudson Valley Help Catch Suspects Of Nationwide 'Felony Lane Gang' Fraud Scheme
Police In Hudson Valley Help Catch Suspects Of Nationwide 'Felony Lane Gang' Fraud Scheme Two suspects who admitted to being part of a nationwide fraud scheme were caught with the help of police in the Hudson Valley.  The two men, Joshua Mallory, age 37, and Gary Grier, age 36, both of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Dec. 20 to being part of the multi-state "Felony Lane Gang," a fraud scheme involving suspects breaking into cars and stealing debit cards and checkbooks, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York.  Between 2015 and 2020, Mallory, Grier, and several co-conspirators traveled across the country breaking …
Father-Son Owners Of Hudson Valley Car Dealership Sentenced For Fraud Father-Son Owners Of Hudson Valley Car Dealership Sentenced For Fraud
Father-Son Owners Of Hudson Valley Car Dealership Sentenced For Fraud A father and son who own a Hudson Valley car dealership are heading to federal prison for their role in a multimillion-dollar tax and bank fraud scheme. Orange County residents Mehdi and Saaed Moslem, owners of the Exclusive Motor Sports dealership in Central Valley, were sentenced to eight years and three years in prison, respectively, in federal court in White Plains Monday, Oct. 17. Earlier Report: Father/Son Owners Of Area Auto Dealership Charged With Tax, Bank Fraud The pair was previously found guilty of defrauding their lenders and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) following …
Woman Accused Of Embezzling $4M From NY Company Serving Clients In Entertainment Industry Woman Accused Of Embezzling $4M From NY Company Serving Clients In Entertainment Industry
Woman Accused Of Embezzling $4M From NY Company Serving Clients In Entertainment Industry A woman has been accused of embezzling $4 million from her New York employer and its clients to pay for, among other things, her wedding, travel, and making payments to a cosmetic surgeon. Long Island resident Carmen Miranda, age 50, of Massapequa, was charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft, in connection with her scheme to embezzle over $4 million from her employer and its clients in Manhattan. Miranda, who is also known as “Millie Miranda,” was an account manager at a small business management firm that primarily serviced clients in the entertainment indus…
Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Using Dead Person's Checks In Fraud Scheme Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Using Dead Person's Checks In Fraud Scheme
Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Using Dead Person's Checks In Fraud Scheme A 36-year-old man was arrested and accused of defrauding a bank out of more than $4,000. Ulster County resident Thomas Mann, of Clintondale, was arrested on Wednesday, April 6, and charged with eight counts of second-degree forgery, one count of third-degree grand larceny, and eight counts of second-degree possession of a forged instrument, according to New York State Police. State Police in Ellenville received a report on Thursday, March 10, of fraud involving a checking account of a person who died, police said.  Investigators found that Mann began using the deceased individual's ch…
CFO Sentenced For $33M Healthcare Scheme Involving Westchester Company CFO Sentenced For $33M Healthcare Scheme Involving Westchester Company
CFO Sentenced For $33M Healthcare Scheme Involving Westchester Company A 50-year-old woman will spend more than five years in prison and surrender millions of dollars after being sentenced for a “widespread” $33 million healthcare fraud scheme involving a Westchester auto dealership, federal officials announced. Connecticut resident Erin Verespy, of Trumbull in Fairfield County, was sentenced to 66 months in prison for her role in a $33 million scheme to misappropriate client healthcare funds and defraud multiple lenders through her role as the Chief Financial Officer of Employee Benefit Solutions (EBS), an insurance firm in Wilton. Earlier story - Four From …
Doctor From Westchester Charged For 'Prolific Seven-Year Fraud Scheme,' Feds Say Doctor From Westchester Charged For 'Prolific Seven-Year Fraud Scheme,' Feds Say
Doctor From Westchester Charged For 'Prolific Seven-Year Fraud Scheme,' Feds Say An eye doctor from Westchester who had practices throughout the Hudson Valley and Fairfield County who was previously charged with healthcare fraud has been sentenced for attempting to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic through loan fraud. Westchester resident Ameet Goyal, age 58, of Rye, who operated The Eye Associates Group, with practices in Rye, Mount Kisco, Wappingers Falls in Dutchess County, and Greenwich, has been sentenced to 96 months in prison for orchestrating a seven-year fraud scheme and for obtaining government loans intended for small businesses during the pandemic. In addition t…
Thief Who Swiped 94,000 Credit Card Numbers At Michaels Stores In NY, NJ, CT, PA Sentenced Thief Who Swiped 94,000 Credit Card Numbers At Michaels Stores In NY, NJ, CT, PA Sentenced
Thief Who Swiped 94,000 Credit Card Numbers At Michaels Stores In NY, NJ, CT, PA Sentenced A member of an ID theft ring that stole more than $600,000 from customers at Michaels stores in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison on Thursday. Jose “Tito” Salazar, age 45, of Riverside, CA was part of a crew that replaced card-reading terminals at the arts and crafts retailer with wireless imitations that they used to capture customers' bank account numbers and PINs, Acting US Attorney for New Jersey Rachael A. Honig said. They then created copycat cards that were then used to withdraw more than $500,000 from hun…
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Man Admits To Stealing $4M In Relief Funds COVID-19: Hudson Valley Man Admits To Stealing $4M In Relief Funds
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Man Admits To Stealing $4M In Relief Funds A Hudson Valley man has pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit bank and wire fraud and admitted to obtaining more than $4 million meant for businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ulster County resident Jean Lavanture, age 48, of Saugerties, also known as JR, and "Rudy" Lavanture, is the third person to plead guilty in this case, according to the US Attorney's Office. In pleading guilty, Lavanture admitted to conspiring with another person to obtain $4,309,581 in Paycheck Protection Program loans between June and August 2020, by submitting fraudulent loan applications in the nam…
Woman Wanted For Cashing Fraudulent Checks Worth $4.5K At Banks In Area Woman Wanted For Cashing Fraudulent Checks Worth $4.5K At Banks In Area
Woman Wanted For Cashing Fraudulent Checks Worth $4.5K At Banks In Area New York State Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a woman who crashed multiple fraudulent checks at a pair of local banks and is known to frequent different areas around the Hudson Valley. State Police investigators in Wappinger issued an alert for 29-year-old Ophelia Atkins, who is wanted on multiple charges that include grand larceny and criminal possession of a forged instrument following a fraudulent check scam she ran in the area. Atkins, is wanted by State Police and the Town of Wappinger Court following a grand larceny investigation in which Atkins is alleged to h…
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Stealing Nearly $5M From Pandemic Relief Fund COVID-19: Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Stealing Nearly $5M From Pandemic Relief Fund
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Stealing Nearly $5M From Pandemic Relief Fund A man from the Hudson Valley allegedly took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to live a lavish lifestyle by allegedly illegally obtaining nearly $5 million in loans meant for struggling businesses. Ulster County resident Jean Lavanture, of Saugerties, also known as Rudy Lavanture, was arrested this week on a bank fraud complaint that alleges he obtained millions in government-backed loans that were earmarked for businesses struggling during the pandemic. Lavanture was arrested on Thursday, Sept. 17 at a new 8.54-acre estate that he allegedly purchased with the illegally obtained funds. It…
Feds, Local Agencies Nab Nine For Massive NY/CT/MA Bank Fraud, ID Theft Scheme Feds, Local Agencies Nab Nine For Massive NY/CT/MA Bank Fraud, ID Theft Scheme
Feds, Local Agencies Nab Nine For Massive NY/CT/MA Bank Fraud, ID Theft Scheme A multi-agency, multi-state FBI investigation into larcenies from vehicles and identity thefts targeting women along the East Coast led to the arrests of nearly a dozen co-conspirators involved in the elaborate operation. Nine men have been charged in a 13-count indictment for their roles in the “Felony Lane Gang” scheme that included wide-ranging bank fraud and identity theft schemes that affected hundreds of victims. Prosecutors allege that the nine suspects were involved together in a fraud scheme known as “Felony Lane Gang.” Investigators from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Ulste…
COVID-19: Westchester Doctor Accused Of Illegally Receiving Government-Guaranteed Loans COVID-19: Westchester Doctor Accused Of Illegally Receiving Government-Guaranteed Loans
Covid-19: Westchester Doctor Accused Of Illegally Receiving Government-Guaranteed Loans An eye doctor from Westchester who had practices throughout the Hudson Valley and Fairfield County who was previously charged with healthcare fraud is facing new charges for allegedly attempting to exploit the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Ameet Goyal, 57, of Rye, who operates The Eye Associates Group, with practices in Rye, Mount Kisco, Wappingers Falls, and Greenwich, was arrested and charged by federal officials for allegedly fraudulently billing patients last year. Earlier story - Area Doctor Billed Patients $8M For Surgeries He Didn't Do, Feds Say According to U.S. Attorne…
Former Bank Director From Area Charged In $1.4 Million Fraud Former Bank Director From Area Charged In $1.4 Million Fraud
Former Bank Director From Area Charged In $1.4 Million Fraud An attorney and former Park Avenue Bank director from the Hudson Valley has been accused of a $1.4 million bank fraud along with a co-conspirator. Rockland resident Mendel Zilberberg, 61, of Monsey, was charged this week with Aron Fried, 46, a Toms River, New Jersey, resident with bank fraud and other charges after allegedly scheming to obtain a $1.4 million loan from the bank. United States Attorney Geoffrey Berman said Zilberberg and Fried used false statements and misrepresentations to receive the loan, resulting in a $1 million loss for the bank when the loan later defaulted. Zilberber…
Father/Son Owners Of Area Auto Dealership Charged With Tax, Bank Fraud Father/Son Owners Of Area Auto Dealership Charged With Tax, Bank Fraud
Father/Son Owners Of Area Auto Dealership Charged With Tax, Bank Fraud A father and son who own a Hudson Valley auto dealership are facing charges for an alleged multi-million dollar tax and bank fraud scheme. Central Valley residents Mehdi and Saeed Moslem, the owners of the Exclusive Motor Sports car dealership in their Orange County hometown, were arrested and indicted for their roles in conspiring to defraud the United States, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced. It is alleged that from 2009 through 2016, Mehdi Mosel, 70 and his son, 35, concealed millions of dollars in profits from the IRS that were tied to their dealership. Berman said that to fals…
NYPD Officer From Area Charged With Conspiring To Commit Bank, Loan Fraud NYPD Officer From Area Charged With Conspiring To Commit Bank, Loan Fraud
Nypd Officer From Area Charged With Conspiring To Commit Bank, Loan Fraud An NYPD police officer from the Hudson Valley is facing charges for allegedly participating in a $1.5 million auto loan scam that targeted people attempting to boost their credit scores. Eduardo Rodriguez, 41, of Goshen in Orange County, has been charged with conspiring to commit bank and loan fraud, as well as making false statements to federal law enforcement officers. He was arrested on Tuesday, July 2, and arraigned in Manhattan Federal Court. It is alleged that in June 2017, Rodriguez agreed with two other men, Ricardo Taboada, and Daniel Duran, to submit an application to a lender for…
Seen Her? Bank Fraud Suspect On The Run, Police Say Seen Her? Bank Fraud Suspect On The Run, Police Say
Seen Her? Bank Fraud Suspect On The Run, Police Say An alert has been issued by New York State Police investigators for a woman wanted for bank fraud. Investigators in Wappingers are seeking the public’s assistance as they attempt to track down Jamie Mullins, 38, who is wanted by the New York State Police and Town of East Fishkill Justice Court for charges stemming from a bank fraud investigation. According to police, Mullins stole more than $8,000 from the Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union by cashing fraudulent business checks. A warrant was issued for her arrest in June 2007 for her arrest. Police described Mullins as 5-foot-6 African Am…