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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…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
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…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
NJ Man Charged In $44K Bad Check Scheme, Prosecutor Says NJ Man Charged In $44K Bad Check Scheme, Prosecutor Says
NJ 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…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Two Pemberton Men Learn Fate For Murdering Autistic Teen: Prosecutor Two Pemberton Men Learn Fate For Murdering Autistic Teen: Prosecutor
Two Pemberton Men Learn Fate For Murdering Autistic Teen: Prosecutor Two Pemberton gang members will likely be spending the rest of their life behind bars after being sentenced on Friday, Feb. 21 for their role in murdering a Willingboro teen with autism, authorities said.  Kavon Carter, 27, and Sylas Young, 22, were sentenced to 110 years in prison and 80 years in prison, after being convicted of first degree murder in the fatal shooting of Yahsinn "YaYa" Robinson, 18, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw said. At 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 22, 2021, police responded to Willingboro High School and found Robinson had been shot several ti…

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
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…

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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
Police & Fire
Former AC Housing Authority Coordinator Fraudulently Obtained Covid-19 Relief Funds: Feds Former AC Housing Authority Coordinator Fraudulently Obtained Covid-19 Relief Funds: Feds
Former AC Housing Authority Coordinator Fraudulently Obtained Covid-19 Relief Funds: Feds A 50-year-old Atlantic City resident admitted on Monday, Jan. 13 to fraudulently obtaining thousands in COVID-19 relief funds, authorities said. Luquay Zahir previously served as  Ross Family Service Coordinator for the Atlantic City Housing Authority and Urban Redevelopment Agency when unlawfully obtained the funds, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna said. In 2020 and 2021, Zahir obtained more than $30,000 through a Paycheck Protection Program loan and Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance issued under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act by submitting an applica…

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by Sam Barron
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
Police & Fire
Athletic Director Stole $17K From Camden Catholic High School: Prosecutor Athletic Director Stole $17K From Camden Catholic High School: Prosecutor
Athletic Director Stole $17K From Camden Catholic High School: Prosecutor A 31-year-old former athletic director was arrested and charged on Tuesday, January 7 with stealing more than $17,000 from Camden Catholic High School, authorities said. Samuel Hardy served as athletic director between July 2019 and February 2024, Camden County Prosecutor Grace MacAulay and Cherry Hill Police Chief John Ostermueller said.  Hardy rented the school's athletic turf for his own personal benefit, authorities said. Between March 2023 and February 2024, he rented the turf field to local sport organizations, but there were no contracts or records of payment…

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
18-Year-Old Invaded Home At Gunpoint: Willingboro Police 18-Year-Old Invaded Home At Gunpoint: Willingboro Police
18-Year-Old Invaded Home At Gunpoint: Willingboro Police An 18-year-old Willingboro resident was arrested and charged after he entered a home at gunpoint on Saturday, Dec. 28, authorities said. At 7:45 p.m., Jazihe Williams entered a residence on Ballard Lane and proceeded to the second floor, where the homeowner was located in the main bedroom, Willingboro police said. Williams, armed with a black firearm, confronted the homeowner and demanded her purse, wallet, and cellphone, police said. After obtaining the items, Williams fled the scene, police said. Williams immediately began using several stolen credit cards to make food purchases at variou…

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by Sam Barron
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
Former Vineland Little League Prez Stole Nearly $48K From Organization: Cops Former Vineland Little League Prez Stole Nearly $48K From Organization: Cops
Former Vineland Little League Prez Stole Nearly $48K From Organization: Cops A Vineland man is accused of stealing nearly $48,000 from a local Little League organization while serving as its president, authorities said. Jose L. Ramos, 58, was arrested after an investigation revealed he used funds belonging to the South Vineland Little League (SVLL) for personal expenses between 2018 and 2024, police said. The theft came to light on Nov. 25, 2024, after Officer A. Hunter investigated the incident. Ramos, who served as the SVLL board’s acting president since 2017, allegedly withheld account records and bank statements from the board during his tenure. A fellow board …

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
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 …

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by Chris Spiker
Politics
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…

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by Jillian Pikora
Police & Fire
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…

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by Sam Barron
News
Contractor Conned Woman Out Of $341K In Home Repairs He Never Did In South Jersey: Prosecutor Contractor Conned Woman Out Of $341K In Home Repairs He Never Did In South Jersey: Prosecutor
Contractor Conned Woman Out Of $341K In Home Repairs He Never Did In South Jersey: Prosecutor A 32-year-old man from Gloucester County is accused of defrauding an elderly woman out of $341,000 in home repairs he never did, authorities said. On Tuesday, July 23, Christopher Fuscellaro of Mantua Township was arrested and charged with theft, theft by deception and being an unlicensed contractor, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office. Between Sept. 7, 2022, and Nov. 16, 2023, Fuscellaro portrayed himself as a licensed contractor in Washington Township "and utilized various means of fraud and deception to defraud the elderly victim," the prosecutor said. Christophe…

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by Jon Craig
News
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…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
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…

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by Mac Bullock
News
PA Gravestone Thief's Brother Bilked NJ Widow Out Of $5,000, Indictment Says PA Gravestone Thief's Brother Bilked NJ Widow Out Of $5,000, Indictment Says
PA Gravestone Thief's Brother Bilked NJ Widow Out Of $5,000, Indictment Says Another New Jersey widow has come forward alleging she was bilked out of money for a gravestone she never got. Jerry J. Stefan, 49, of Gladwyne, PA, has been indicted alleging he bilked a Deptford, NJ widow out of $5,054 for a gravestone she never received for her late husband. He's the brother of a Pennsylvania gravestone dealer already charged in three states with defrauding gravestone customers. A Gloucester County grand jury indicted Jerry J. Stefan on June 26 on a charge he never provided a gravestone or returned the money he took. He was indicted on a third-degree charge of failure t…

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by Jon Craig
News
Poor Conditions, Fraud: State Seizes Control Of 2 NJ Nursing Homes Poor Conditions, Fraud: State Seizes Control Of 2 NJ Nursing Homes
Poor Conditions, Fraud: State Seizes Control Of 2 NJ Nursing Homes A pair of South Jersey nursing homes, riddled with poor conditions and alleged Medicaid fraud, have been turned over to the control of an independent receiver, authorities said. The state Comptroller previously suspended the owners of Deptford Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare and Hammonton Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare from New Jersey Medicaid. A Superior Court judge ordered the appointment of Allen Wilen of the Eisner Advisory Group, LLC to run the nursing homes effective June 17, according to the New Jersey Comptroller's Office. The judge's appointment means that the r…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
NY Judge Sees No Remorse, Sentences Bergen 'Bling Bishop' To 9 Years For Swindling Followers NY Judge Sees No Remorse, Sentences Bergen 'Bling Bishop' To 9 Years For Swindling Followers
NY Judge Sees No Remorse, Sentences Bergen 'Bling Bishop' To 9 Years For Swindling Followers 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A convicted con man from Bergen County known as the "Bling Bishop" used the opportunity he was given to speak before being sent to federal prison for nine years to annoy the judge on Monday. Lamor Whitehead of Paramus must serve a mandatory 7½ years following his conviction by a jury in lower Manhattan in March for swindling the life savings from a parishioners mother, among other crimes. One by one, some of those who were financially destroyed spoke to Manhattan Federal Court Judge Lorna Schofield during the June 17 sentencing hearing. Then it was Whitehead's turn. Bishop …

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
South Jersey Man Sentenced In $4M Money-Laundering Scheme South Jersey Man Sentenced In $4M Money-Laundering Scheme
South Jersey Man Sentenced In $4M Money-Laundering Scheme A Burlington County man was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for illegally laundering more than $4 million in proceeds from a mail fraud scheme, authorities said. Pablo Estrada, 27, of Florence, previously pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. He was sentenced on Wednesday, June 12. In addition to the prison term, Estrada was ordered to pay restitution of $4.21 million. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: From August 2020 through January 2023, Estrada received money from victims of …

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
UPDATE: NJ Man, 72, Admits Posing As Dead Guy To Collect Social Security, Medicaid For 14 Years UPDATE: NJ Man, 72, Admits Posing As Dead Guy To Collect Social Security, Medicaid For 14 Years
Update: NJ Man, 72, Admits Posing As Dead Guy To Collect Social Security, Medicaid For 14 Years A 72-year-old South Jersey resident admitted that he assumed a dead man's identity to collect more than $200,000 in Social Security payments and Medicaid benefits for 14 years. Dennis Gaudette of Franklinville was 57 years old when U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said he began the long-running con in March 2009. It continued until he was caught last year, the U.S. attorney said. Gaudette collected $43,464 in Social Security Retirement Income Benefits and $85,332.50 in Supplemental Security that he wasn't entitled to, Sellinger said. During the same time period, the state of Ne…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
'King James': NJ Lawyer Gets 4½ Years, No Early Release For $2 Million Theft From Family, More 'King James': NJ Lawyer Gets 4½ Years, No Early Release For $2 Million Theft From Family, More
'King James': NJ Lawyer Gets 4½ Years, No Early Release For $2 Million Theft From Family, More 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A once-prominent New Jersey lawyer must spend the next 4½ years in federal prison for swindling a family he represented out of $2 million -- and then, while on pre-trial release, impersonating another attorney in applying for a loan. The family had retained James R. Lisa, 68, of Jersey City, to gather millions that had been moved into offshore bank accounts by relatives decades ago and to resolve any tax issues that arose as a result, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Soon after being retained, Lisa moved more than $6 million back into the United States but told the famil…

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by Jerry DeMarco