$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…
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…
'Jury Duty' Scammers From Paterson Swindled $190K From Victims: Prosecutor 'Jury Duty' Scammers From Paterson Swindled $190K From Victims: Prosecutor
'Jury Duty' Scammers From Paterson Swindled $190K From Victims: Prosecutor Three Paterson residents have been arrested in connection with a phony bail bond scam that swindled nearly $190,000 from unsuspecting victims across Bergen County, authorities announced. Yasen R. Delgado, 26; Ahjainay N. Gawthney, 27; and Delareese Delgado, 31, were taken into custody on Thursday, Feb. 27, following a multi-agency investigation, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. The suspects are accused of posing as law enforcement officers and bail bondsmen, calling victims and threatening them with arrest warrants for missing court dates or jury duty. Victims were told to hand o…
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…
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…
$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 …
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 …
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…
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…