Tag:

Fraud

NJ Rental Ford Expedition Linked To East Coast Thefts Sought By Pennsylvania State Police NJ Rental Ford Expedition Linked To East Coast Thefts Sought By Pennsylvania State Police
NJ Rental Ford Expedition Linked To East Coast Thefts Sought By Pennsylvania State Police A rented Ford Expedition tied to thefts along the East Coast remains missing, and Pennsylvania State Police are asking for the public’s help in locating its occupants. The 2024 Ford Expedition Max Limited, bearing Florida registration 16BSJL and VIN 1FMJK1K82REA28658, has been linked to multiple thefts involving cash, credit cards, checks, and driver’s licenses, police said. The stolen items are allegedly being used to fraudulently withdraw funds from banks. The suspects have reportedly used rental vehicles in recent crimes. This Ford Expedition was rented in New Jersey on March 13, 2025,…
EXCLUSIVE: NJ Woman Wanted For $600K PA Hospital Fraud Launches Suicide Fundraiser EXCLUSIVE: NJ Woman Wanted For $600K PA Hospital Fraud Launches Suicide Fundraiser
Exclusive: NJ Woman Wanted For $600K PA Hospital Fraud Launches Suicide Fundraiser A New Jersey woman— with ties to multiple other states — is wanted for allegedly defrauding Pennsylvania hospitals of more than $600,000 by faking a sickle cell diagnosis and has been raising money online for assisted suicide in Switzerland, Pennsylvania State Police announced and GoFundMe confirmed to Daily Voice on Tuesday, March 18. Taleah McKnight, 30, also known as Abygail Brooks, Chemory Brooks, Taleah Brooks, and Leah Osei, has an active arrest warrant for theft by deception and theft of services, East Hempfield Township Police in Lancaster County said on Thursday, March 14. McK…
$620K In Fake Checks Found In Vehicle With NJ Plates During PA Traffic Stop: Police $620K In Fake Checks Found In Vehicle With NJ Plates During PA Traffic Stop: Police
$620K In Fake Checks Found In Vehicle With NJ Plates During PA Traffic Stop: Police A routine traffic stop in Eddystone, Pennsylvania, led to the discovery of a massive fraud operation involving hundreds of counterfeit checks worth more than $620,000, Pennsylvania State Police announced on Tuesday, March 18. Christopher Hayman, 29, and Tyree Holmes, 33, were pulled over by Eddystone police while driving a white Volvo with temporary New Jersey plates on Thursday, March 13, according to officials. Inside the vehicle, officers discovered approximately 200 fraudulent checks linked to scams in four states, along with stolen credit cards and fake IDs, police said. Investigator…
Fake IRS Messages Target Taxpayers With Bogus Payment Offer Fake IRS Messages Target Taxpayers With Bogus Payment Offer
Fake IRS Messages Target Taxpayers With Bogus Payment Offer Taxpayers are being warned about a new scam involving unsolicited text messages impersonating the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The fraudulent messages falsely claim recipients are eligible for a $1,400 Economic Impact Payment and instruct them to click a deceptive link to "claim" the funds. How The Scam Works Victims receive a text message that appears to be from the IRS, stating they are owed an Economic Impact Payment. The message urges them to provide personal information to process the supposed payment. Scammers promise the money will be deposited into a bank account or mailed as a…
Alert Issued For USPS Scam Text: Here's What To Know Alert Issued For USPS Scam Text: Here's What To Know
Alert Issued For USPS Scam Text: Here's What To Know A new scam is targeting people with fraudulent text messages pretending to be from the United States Postal Service (USPS)—and officials are urging caution. The US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) is warning customers about a rise in phishing and smishing attacks, where fraudsters send fake texts and emails that appear to come from USPS. The messages often claim that a package is delayed or that a payment is due, directing recipients to click a link that steals personal information. How To Identify A Fake USPS Message Postal inspectors say these scams are becoming more advanced, but ther…
Scammers Stole Taylor Swift Eras Tour Tickets In $600K+ Scheme, Prosecutors Say Scammers Stole Taylor Swift Eras Tour Tickets In $600K+ Scheme, Prosecutors Say
Scammers Stole Taylor Swift Eras Tour Tickets In $600K+ Scheme, Prosecutors Say Taylor Swift fans are hoping "Karma" comes to whoever scammed them out of expensive tickets to The Eras Tour. Two people were accused of stealing nearly 1,000 tickets to high-demand events, including the popstar's record-breaking concert tour. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced arrests in the case in a news release on Monday, Mar. 3. Tyrone Rose, 20, of Kingston, Jamaica, and Shamara Simmons, 31, of Queens, NY, were facing charges including grand larceny, conspiracy, and computer tampering.  "These defendants tried to use the popularity of Taylor Swift…
Long Branch Man Charged In $44K Bad Check Scheme, Prosecutor Says Long Branch Man Charged In $44K Bad Check Scheme, Prosecutor Says
Long Branch Man Charged In $44K Bad Check Scheme, Prosecutor Says A 33-year-old Long Branch man previously accused in a $300,000 scam has been charged with stealing more than $44,000 from a local bank branch using a fraudulent check scheme, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Wednesday, Feb. 26. Jacob Gindi is facing third-degree bad checks and third-degree theft by deception charges following an investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) Financial Crimes and Special Prosecutions Unit, Santiago said. The case began when Deal Police received a report in December 2024 of suspected fraudulent activity at a bank branc…
Cops Intercept 'FBI Agent' En Route To Collect $40K In New Jersey, Authorities Say Cops Intercept 'FBI Agent' En Route To Collect $40K In New Jersey, Authorities Say
Cops Intercept 'FBI Agent' En Route To Collect $40K In New Jersey, Authorities Say A 28-year old Cherry Hill resident was arrested and charged on Thursday, Feb. 13 with trying to scam a person in Evesham out of $40,000 by posing as an FBI agent, authorities said. Officers began investigating after a person told law enforcement they received a phone call from an individual claiming to be a member of the F.B.I, Evesham police said. Brij Shukla informed the person that they owed the government $40,000 and instructed them to withdraw the money, stating that a "courier" would visit their residence to retrieve the cash, police said. Detectives began investigating the crime…
Middlesex County Man Ran $1 Million Bogus Sugar Investment Scheme: Feds Middlesex County Man Ran $1 Million Bogus Sugar Investment Scheme: Feds
Middlesex County Man Ran $1 Million Bogus Sugar Investment Scheme: Feds A 64-year-old Middlesex County man admitted on Thursday, Jan. 23, to defrauding people in South Korea via a bogus investment scheme involving sugar, authorities said. Mohammed Rahman, an Iselin resident, ran Caltech Trading Corporation, through which he purported to buy and sell commodities, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna said. Rahman and other individuals in South Korea persuaded approximately 60 victims there to invest funds purportedly towards the purchase of $1 million of sugar from Brazil, which Caltech would then sell for a substantial profit, Khanna said.  Rahman and his…
$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 …
Disbarred Lawyer Stole $1 Mil+ From Clients: Monmouth County Prosecutor Disbarred Lawyer Stole $1 Mil+ From Clients: Monmouth County Prosecutor
Disbarred Lawyer Stole $1 Mil+ From Clients: Monmouth County Prosecutor A 49-year-old disbarred Hazlet lawyer was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday, Jan. 17, after he admitted to stealing nearly $1.18 million from more than 60 clients. Steven Salami is also ordered to pay the full amount of stolen funds, back to the New Jersey Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection, which had previously reimbursed his clients, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said. From April to August 2019, while working as an attorney, Salami took $300,000 from four victims as part of real estate transactions, Santiago said. Salami put the money in escrow, but f…
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 …
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…
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…
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 …
South Jersey Man Who Stole $50K From Grieving Families In Headstone Scam Indicted: Prosecutors South Jersey Man Who Stole $50K From Grieving Families In Headstone Scam Indicted: Prosecutors
South Jersey Man Who Stole $50K From Grieving Families In Headstone Scam Indicted: Prosecutors A Mays Landing man who operated a headstone business has been indicted after he was accused of defrauding more than 30 grieving families out of about $50,000, authorities said. A grand jury handed down the indictment against 71-year-old Jiolio "Joe" Cincotti on Thursday, Dec. 12, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release. He was charged with third-degree theft by deception and money laundering offenses after taking payments for headstones that were never delivered. Investigators said between October 2020 and December 2023, Cincotti owned and operated Atlantic …
Award-Winning Former Rec Director Admits To Stealing $9K+ From Jersey Shore Town: Prosecutors Award-Winning Former Rec Director Admits To Stealing $9K+ From Jersey Shore Town: Prosecutors
Award-Winning Former Rec Director Admits To Stealing $9K+ From Jersey Shore Town: Prosecutors A former Brick Township official, once celebrated as a top professional in his field, has admitted to stealing nearly $10,000 in township recreation fees, authorities said. Daniel Santaniello, 46, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Dec. 10 to theft, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release.  Santaniello was previously the recreation director for Brick Township. The New Jersey Recreation & Park Association gave him the "Professional of the Year Award" in 2016. Investigators said Santaniello abused his position to charge private organizations cash to u…
Somerset Man Stole $600K In Benefits Meant For Dead Father: Feds Somerset Man Stole $600K In Benefits Meant For Dead Father: Feds
Somerset Man Stole $600K In Benefits Meant For Dead Father: Feds  A 66-year-old Somerset resident admitted to stealing over $600,000 in government benefits intended for his deceased father for more nearly two decades, authorities said. Steven Jones pleaded guilty to a charge of conversion of federal funds, US Attorney Philip Sellinger said. Jones’s father received federal retirement benefits before his death in October 2004, Sellinger said. Instead of notifying authorities, Jones falsified his father’s death certificate and orchestrated a scheme to continue receiving the payments, Sellinger said. On two occasions, Jones even had someone impersonate…
Trump Taps Dr. Oz, Penn Alum, To Lead Medicare And Medicaid Services Trump Taps Dr. Oz, Penn Alum, To Lead Medicare And Medicaid Services
Trump Taps Dr. Oz, Penn Alum, To Lead Medicare And Medicaid Services President-elect Donald J. Trump has nominated Dr. Mehmet Oz to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), citing the Pennsylvania-educated heart surgeon’s decades-long dedication to healthcare innovation and public advocacy. The announcement came Tuesday, Nov. 19, as Trump highlighted Oz’s qualifications and ties to the Keystone State. Dr. Oz earned both his medical degree and MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Medicine and Wharton Business School, making him an Ivy League-trained physician and business leader. Trump lauded his achievements in a statement, ca…
NJ Man Charged With Defrauding Victim In Loan Scheme Involving Batmobile, Ghostbusters Hearse NJ Man Charged With Defrauding Victim In Loan Scheme Involving Batmobile, Ghostbusters Hearse
NJ Man Charged With Defrauding Victim In Loan Scheme Involving Batmobile, Ghostbusters Hearse A 38-year-old Warren County man was charged on Wednesday, Oct. 23 for defrauding a 91-year-old man who loaned him money, after having settled the case in court, Daily Voice has learned. In May 2021, a 91-year-old Clarksburg resident loaned Asbury resident Christopher Sterlacci $400,000, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée Robeson and Hunterdon County Chief of Detectives Timothy Drew said. Several vehicles and properties were put up as collateral by Sterlacci for the loan, authorities said. After defaulting on the terms of the loan, it was discovered that the properties and vehi…
Woman Who Stole $178K+ From Jersey Shore Engineering Firm Sentenced: Prosecutors Woman Who Stole $178K+ From Jersey Shore Engineering Firm Sentenced: Prosecutors
Woman Who Stole $178K+ From Jersey Shore Engineering Firm Sentenced: Prosecutors A Manahawkin woman will spend several years in prison after stealing nearly $180,000 from a Long Beach engineering firm, authorities said. Dona Carlo-Tanzola, 51, was sentenced on Friday, Oct. 11 to five years in state prison, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. The former administrative assistant at Horn, Tyson & Yoder, Inc. pleaded guilty to theft on Monday, July 1. Long Beach Township police said Carlo-Tanzola deposited checks for the business into her personal bank accounts between May and November 2022. She also edited the…
Disbarred NJ Attorney Admits To Ponzi Scheme That Cost Investors $1 Million: Feds Disbarred NJ Attorney Admits To Ponzi Scheme That Cost Investors $1 Million: Feds
Disbarred NJ Attorney Admits To Ponzi Scheme That Cost Investors $1 Million: Feds A 61-year-old Hillsborough resident pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Oct. 9 to running a Ponzi-like wire fraud scheme that caused losses of more than $1 million, authorities said. Lawrence Coven, who had previously been disbarred as an attorney, operated and controlled Sunrise Enterprises LLC, which purported to provide financial services to investors, US Attorney Philip Sellinger said.  In reality, Coven induced investors into sending him funds by falsely representing that he would invest their money through Sunrise in exchange for large profits by providing short-term loans to borrowers …
Trio Stole $100K+ In Business Checks From Wall Township Mailboxes, Police Say Trio Stole $100K+ In Business Checks From Wall Township Mailboxes, Police Say
Trio Stole $100K+ In Business Checks From Wall Township Mailboxes, Police Say Two men and a woman from North Jersey were accused of stealing more than $100,000 in business checks from Wall Township mailboxes, authorities said. James Miller, 37, of Passaic; Kaleik Easton, 29, of Bloomfield; and Asia Harrell, 31, also from Bloomfield; were arrested, the Wall Township Police Department said in a news release. Investigators said businesses were defrauded out of more than $100,000 after checks were taken from their mailboxes. Police executed two search warrants at the suspects' homes and they were taken into custody on Wednesday, Sept. 19. Detectives …
Howell Twp. Man Indicted In Scheme To Commit Mortgage, COVID-19 Business Loan Fraud: Feds Howell Twp. Man Indicted In Scheme To Commit Mortgage, COVID-19 Business Loan Fraud: Feds
Howell Twp. Man Indicted In Scheme To Commit Mortgage, Covid-19 Business Loan Fraud: Feds A Toms River man was accused of leading a multimillion-dollar scheme to commit mortgage fraud and steal federal COVID-19 loans, authorities said. Arthur Spitzer, 37, was indicted on 25 counts, New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said in a news release on Tuesday, Sept. 3. A grand jury also indicted 38-year-old Mendel Deutsch of Toms River and 42-year-old Joshua Feldberger of Howell Township in the case. According to the indictment, Spitzer got mortgage loans for real estate properties that he didn't own in New Jersey and Brooklyn, New York. He chose properties that ha…
Central Jersey Widow Avoids Jail After Fraudulently Collecting $268K In Police Pension: AG Central Jersey Widow Avoids Jail After Fraudulently Collecting $268K In Police Pension: AG
Central Jersey Widow Avoids Jail After Fraudulently Collecting $268K In Police Pension: AG A Mercer County woman avoided jail time after admitting to stealing $268,000 from her dead husband's police pension after she remarried, authorities said. Sandra VonScheven, 49, of Hamilton Township, was given a suspended sentence of 364 days in county jail, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in a news release on Thursday, Aug. 29. She won't have to go to jail if she completes probation. According to court documents and statements, VonScheven started receiving state benefits in November 2001 after her husband died. He had retired as a municipal police officer in New Jersey. Widows …
South Jersey Man Who Scammed $500K+ Sentenced In Foreign Currency, Car Loan Schemes: Feds South Jersey Man Who Scammed $500K+ Sentenced In Foreign Currency, Car Loan Schemes: Feds
South Jersey Man Who Scammed $500K+ Sentenced In Foreign Currency, Car Loan Schemes: Feds A Mount Laurel man will spend several years in prison after scamming hundreds of investors and car owners out of more than $500,000, authorities said. Michael Salerno, 55, was sentenced on Monday, Aug. 26 to three years and one month in prison, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Jacqueline Romero said in a news release. He had pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud after he was indicted for schemes in September 2020 and February 2023. Salerno operated Black Diamond Forex, L.P., BDF Trading, L.P., Advanta Capital Markets, Inc., and Advanta FX between …
Squatter Falsely Claimed To Own Two Monmouth County Vacant Homes, Prosecutors Say Squatter Falsely Claimed To Own Two Monmouth County Vacant Homes, Prosecutors Say
Squatter Falsely Claimed To Own Two Monmouth County Vacant Homes, Prosecutors Say A Monmouth County man was accused of squatting in two vacant homes and falsely claiming to own them, authorities said. Markies Wells, 39, was given 13 charges, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Thursday, Aug. 15. He's also known as Messiah Law-Elbey and last had a legitimate address in Neptune Township. Keansburg police said Wells climbed through a back window of an abandoned Pine View Avenue home in March and changed the locks on the front and back doors. He was arrested and charged in the case. Holmdel police then found in July that Wells als…
Middlesex County Men Indicted In Alleged $7M Fuel Investment Scheme: AG Middlesex County Men Indicted In Alleged $7M Fuel Investment Scheme: AG
Middlesex County Men Indicted In Alleged $7M Fuel Investment Scheme: AG A New Jersey grand jury has indicted two Middlesex County men for allegedly defrauding fuel investors out of approximately $6.7 million, authorities said. The scheme used sham companies and false identities to deceive investors into believing they would receive large guaranteed returns from investments in fuel products, according to Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. Instead, the defendants diverted investor funds for their own benefit, Platkin said. Shahid Javed, 39, of Old Bridge, and Wilfredo Topacio, 64, of Woodbridge, were charged in an indictment with first-degree conspiracy, …
Mother, Son Admit Selling Cheap Parts To Military Through Jersey Shore Family Business: Feds Mother, Son Admit Selling Cheap Parts To Military Through Jersey Shore Family Business: Feds
Mother, Son Admit Selling Cheap Parts To Military Through Jersey Shore Family Business: Feds A New Jersey mother and son admitted to a years-long scheme to scam the Department of Defense by selling cheap military equipment not approved by their business's contracts, authorities said. Linda Mika, 73, of Jackson, pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday, July 23 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said in a news release. Her son, 53-year-old Kenneth Mika of Ewing, also pleaded guilty to the same charge on Tuesday, June 25. According to court documents and testimony, Linda and Kenneth Mika defrauded the DoD and the Defe…
Ex-NJ Bank Employee Stole $1M From Customer, Used Money To Fund Business Ventures: Cops Ex-NJ Bank Employee Stole $1M From Customer, Used Money To Fund Business Ventures: Cops
Ex-NJ Bank Employee Stole $1M From Customer, Used Money To Fund Business Ventures: Cops A former bank employee has been charged with stealing nearly $1 million from a customer whom he'd befriended then invested the money in side business ventures, authorities in Burlington County announced. Agha Hasan, 41, of Bordentown, is facing a litany of charges including theft by deception and tax evasion stemming from the  $998,188 in stolen money, dating back to 2018, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw said. The investigation began last year after fraud investigators for Santander Bank contacted police about questionable transactions conducted and overseen by Ha…
Philly Area Gravestone Salesman Scammed Mourners Out Of $1.5 Million, Feds Say Philly Area Gravestone Salesman Scammed Mourners Out Of $1.5 Million, Feds Say
Philly Area Gravestone Salesman Scammed Mourners Out Of $1.5 Million, Feds Say The owner of a headstone company is accused of ripping off hundreds of grieving customers across greater Philadelphia, federal prosecutors allege in an indictment.  Gregory J. Stefan Jr., 54, of Upper Merion, is charged with seven counts of wire fraud, according to the US Attorney's Office.  Between January 2018 and September of last year, Stefan accepted more than $1.5 million from customers who ordered memorials for loved ones, then failed to deliver the headstones they bought, authorities said. Stefan accepted the orders from nearly 500 customers through his companies 1843 LLC…