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Police & Fire
California Woman Admits To $800,000 Fraud: Morris County Prosecutor California Woman Admits To $800,000 Fraud: Morris County Prosecutor
California Woman Admits To $800,000 Fraud: Morris County Prosecutor A 63-year-old California woman pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Jan. 21 to defrauding a Hanover Township resident out of more than $800,000, authorities said. In 2023, Anna Marie Bustamante posed as an authorized vendor when the victim sent her $806,727.92, via a bank account that was made to resemble the bank account of the authorized vendor, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office said. As part of her plea agreement with prosecutors, Bustamante is expected to be sentenced to 364 days in the Morris County Correctional Center as a condition of probation, authorities said.  The victi…

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by Sam Barron
News
$44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever $44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever
$44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever Seven New Yorkers have been charged in a sweeping tax fraud scheme, accused of exploiting pandemic relief programs to steal over $44 million, federal prosecutors announced. The indictment by the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, unsealed Wednesday, Jan. 22, alleges that the defendants filed over 8,000 fraudulent tax returns, seeking more than $600 million in COVID-19 relief funds through the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and related programs. Investigators determined the group successfully secured $44 million from the federal government. Defendants Long Island …

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers
American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers American Express said it will pay $230 million to resolve federal investigations into deceptive sales tactics and recordkeeping violations involving small business credit card and wire transfer products. The credit card company agreed to pay a $108.7 million civil penalty, the Department of Justice said in a news release on Thursday, Jan. 16. The settlement resolved claims against American Express of deceptive marketing and "dummy" account information. American Express was accused of engaging in unlawful sales tactics and falsifying records between 2014 and 2021. "When financial companies …

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by Chris Spiker
Real Estate
Chinese Billionaire Fraudster's Former Mansion Is Most Expensive NJ Listing At $33M Chinese Billionaire Fraudster's Former Mansion Is Most Expensive NJ Listing At $33M
Chinese Billionaire Fraudster's Former Mansion Is Most Expensive NJ Listing At $33M A historic Bergen County estate seized from a Chinese billionaire indicted in a $1 billion fraud scheme last year has become the most expensive residential listing in New Jersey, on the market for $33 million (scroll down to see the complete listing with photos). The Crocker Mansion, located at 675 Ramapo Valley Road in Mahwah, spans 50,000 square feet and sits on 12.5 gated acres. Originally built in 1907, the property features 21 bedrooms, a pool house, tennis courts, and a guest house. It was declared a historic landmark by Mahwah Township due to its unique place in local history. In Mar…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
USPS Worker Used Fake NJ Documents In $130K Welfare Fraud Scheme: DA USPS Worker Used Fake NJ Documents In $130K Welfare Fraud Scheme: DA
USPS Worker Used Fake NJ Documents In $130K Welfare Fraud Scheme: DA A Freeport woman and U.S. Postal Service employee is accused of defrauding public assistance programs of more than $130,000 by failing to report her income from two jobs and rental properties, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced Friday, Jan. 10. Angelique White, 32, allegedly received childcare and Medicaid benefits between 2017 and 2021 while omitting her income from the U.S. Postal Service, Northwell Health, and two rental properties she co-owned in Elmont and Freeport, according to Donnelly. White was arraigned Thursday before Judge Robert Pipia on charges of Grand La…

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by Jillian Pikora
Business
Don't Fall For It: New Twist On Imposter Fraud Targets Your Money, Personal Info Don't Fall For It: New Twist On Imposter Fraud Targets Your Money, Personal Info
Don't Fall For It: New Twist On Imposter Fraud Targets Your Money, Personal Info The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is sounding the alarm on a sophisticated new imposter scheme designed to steal your money and personal information.  These scams are becoming increasingly convincing, but learning to spot the red flags can help you stay protected. How the Scam Works Initial Contact: Scammers pose as representatives from well-known companies, such as Amazon or a tech support service. They’ll claim there’s a routine issue, like suspicious charges on your account, a computer virus, or an account breach. Escalation: The scammers lie, saying your name is tied to serious …

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Florham Park Man Bribed Newark Deputy Mayor With $25K In Restroom: Feds Florham Park Man Bribed Newark Deputy Mayor With $25K In Restroom: Feds
Florham Park Man Bribed Newark Deputy Mayor With $25K In Restroom: Feds A 57-year-old Newark business owner and Florham Park resident admitted earlier this month to bribing a former city official with cash and jewelry to help acquire and redevelop Newark-owned properties, authorities said. Frank Valvano admitted bribing Carmelo Garcia – who served as deputy mayor and director of the Newark Department of Economic and Housing Development and executive vice president and chief real estate officer of the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation in exchange for Garcia’s assistance with the acquisition and redevelopment of city-owned property. Between 2017 a…

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by Sam Barron
Real Estate
NJ Mansion Seized From Chinese Billionaire Fraudster Listed At $33M NJ Mansion Seized From Chinese Billionaire Fraudster Listed At $33M
NJ Mansion Seized From Chinese Billionaire Fraudster Listed At $33M A historic Bergen County estate seized from a Chinese billionaire indicted in a $1 billion fraud scheme last year has hit the market for $33 million. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Carl Gambino (@carlgambino.realestate) The Crocker Mansion, located at 675 Ramapo Valley Road in Mahwah, spans 50,000 square feet and sits on 12.5 gated acres. Originally built in 1907, the property features 21 bedrooms, a pool house, tennis courts, and a guest house. It was declared a historic landmark by Mahwah Township due to its unique place in loc…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Romanian Duo Charged in $289K Bitcoin-For-Fake-Gold Cryptocurrency Scam In Bergen County Romanian Duo Charged in $289K Bitcoin-For-Fake-Gold Cryptocurrency Scam In Bergen County
Romanian Duo Charged in $289K Bitcoin-For-Fake-Gold Cryptocurrency Scam In Bergen County A year-long investigation has led to charges against two Romanian men accused of orchestrating a cryptocurrency scam involving fake gold and Bitcoin valued at approximately $289,000, and a Bergen County victim, authorities said. The suspects, 33-year-old Ciprian A. Tiber and 43-year-old Ahmed Zarei, remain at large and are believed to have returned to Romania following the alleged fraudulent transaction in September 2023, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced. The investigation began when Hasbrouck Heights police contacted the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crime…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Newton Man Gets 5 Years For Pocketing $1.2 Million In Stolen Funds Via E-mail Scheme: AG Newton Man Gets 5 Years For Pocketing $1.2 Million In Stolen Funds Via E-mail Scheme: AG
Newton Man Gets 5 Years For Pocketing $1.2 Million In Stolen Funds Via E-mail Scheme: AG A 64-year-old Newton man who admitted to aiding an international business email compromise scheme was sentenced to five years in state prison on Friday, Dec. 6, authorities said. Robert Herburger received over $1.2 million in stolen funds between November 2017 and July 2018, according to Attorney General Matthew Platkin and the Office of Securities Fraud and Financial Crimes Prosecutions. Herburger set up fake businesses and opened bank accounts to launder funds stolen through the BEC schemes, Platkin said. These scams often involve fraudulent emails designed to trick employees into sending…

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
California Woman Defrauded Victim Out Of $800K: Morris County Prosecutor California Woman Defrauded Victim Out Of $800K: Morris County Prosecutor
California Woman Defrauded Victim Out Of $800K: Morris County Prosecutor A 63-year-old California woman was recently arrested and charged with defrauding a Hanover Township resident out of more than $800,000, authorities said. Last year, Anna Marie Bustamante posed as an authorized vendor when the victim sent her $806,727.92, via a bank account that was made to resemble the bank account of the authorized vendor, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office said. Bustamante was charged with theft, authorities said, and is being detained in California, pending extradition to Morris County.

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by Sam Barron
News
Bergen County Man Defrauds Childhood Friend Out Of $84K In Investment Scam: AG Bergen County Man Defrauds Childhood Friend Out Of $84K In Investment Scam: AG
Bergen County Man Defrauds Childhood Friend Out Of $84K In Investment Scam: AG A Bergen County man and his associate are accused of scamming a childhood friend into liquidating her retirement account to fund a software venture, then misusing the money for personal expenses, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office announced. Michael Lakshin of Fair Lawn and Edward "Eddie" Aizman of Brooklyn, NY, along with their company Bowmo, Inc., face a civil enforcement action for defrauding at least one New Jersey investor, according to a complaint filed by the New Jersey Bureau of Securities on Friday, Nov. 22. Lakshin, leveraging a childhood connection, persuaded the investor t…

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by Cecilia Levine