Tag:

Identity theft

Long Island Woman Accused Of Stealing Nearly $340K From Her Employer Long Island Woman Accused Of Stealing Nearly $340K From Her Employer
Long Island Woman Accused Of Stealing Nearly $340K From Her Employer A Long Island woman has been accused of stealing nearly $340,000 from her employee. An extensive investigation revealed that Elizabeth Stern, age 52, of Hicksville, was responsible for stealing from her former employer, Superior Air Condition & Heating Systems Inc., in Plainview. Detectives state that over 18 months, Stern paid off her personal credit cards with checks that were stolen from the victim, totaling approximately $301,958.  During that same period, she also cashed checks totaling approximately $38,000.  She was arrested at her residence without incident late Tue…
Suspect Nabbed In String Of Thefts At Long Island College Suspect Nabbed In String Of Thefts At Long Island College
Suspect Nabbed In String Of Thefts At Long Island College A man is accused in a string of thefts that occurred at a Long Island college. Garden City Police arrested Austin Withers, age 28, of Hempstead, at his Crowell Street residence on suspicion of grand larceny and related charges Saturday, Aug. 24. According to police, Withers was seen stealing a wallet inside the Adelphi University library in Garden City on Tuesday, June 18.  He allegedly used credit cards found in the wallet to make purchases at the Jamaica train station. Detectives said he also stole an Apple Air Pod valued at $250 from the campus’ University Center and stole credit …
Ousted Nassau Rep. George Santos  Likely To Face Prison After Pleading Guilty In Fraud Case Ousted Nassau Rep. George Santos  Likely To Face Prison After Pleading Guilty In Fraud Case
Ousted Nassau Rep. George Santos Likely To Face Prison After Pleading Guilty In Fraud Case Former Republican Congressman George Santos admitted to committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in a federal court on Monday, Aug. 19, authorities announced.  The 36-year-old former inhabitant of New York's 3rd Congressional District seat on Long Island was facing 23 felonies, and a trial set to begin next month.  A federal judge will sentence Santos on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York said. According to federal sentencing guidelines, aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year minimum sentence.&n…
Ex-Nassau County Rep. George Santos To Plead Guilty To Federal Charges: Reports Ex-Nassau County Rep. George Santos To Plead Guilty To Federal Charges: Reports
Ex-Nassau County Rep. George Santos To Plead Guilty To Federal Charges: Reports Former Republican Rep. George Santos is expected to plead guilty to federal charges weeks ahead of his upcoming trial, multiple news outlets are reporting.  The 36-year-old Santos, who represented New York's 3rd Congressional District, faces 23 federal charges including identity theft, wire fraud, money laundering, and lying to Congress.  NBC News reported that Santos' lawyers and federal investigators are hammering out a plea deal on some of those charges that will be presented to a judge on Monday, Aug. 19. The details on that agreement, which charges he will admit to, and …
Ex-Rep Santos Celebrates 'Squad' Member's 'Humiliating' Loss: 'We're Coming To Get You' Ex-Rep Santos Celebrates 'Squad' Member's 'Humiliating' Loss: 'We're Coming To Get You'
Ex-Rep Santos Celebrates 'Squad' Member's 'Humiliating' Loss: 'We're Coming To Get You' Former Rep. George Santos may have been banished out into the political cold, but he's kept his grudges hot.  The 36-year-old former Republican who served New York's 3rd District posted a video Tuesday night, Aug. 6, celebrating after another member of the so-called "Squad" lost her primary. Related: Santos Announces Comeback Bid After Being Ousted From Congress Rep. Cori Bush, who has served Missouri's 1st District since 2021, lost her bid on Tuesday to remain on the Democratic ticket to local prosecutor Wesley Bell, who garnered 51 percent of the vote to Bush's 45, according to NBC …
George Santos Launches OnlyFans Account: 'The Moment You've All Been Waiting For' George Santos Launches OnlyFans Account: 'The Moment You've All Been Waiting For'
George Santos Launches OnlyFans Account: 'The Moment You've All Been Waiting For' Disgraced former New York Rep. George Santos announced that he now has an OnlyFans account where subscribers can get “full behind-the-scenes access” for $30 a month. The ex-lawmaker, a Republican from Long Island, served 11 months before he was ousted from his 3rd District seat representing parts of Nassau County and Queens. Since then, the admitted liar has stayed firmly in the public eye, appearing on internet shows, launching a Cameo account (which led to Santos suing late-night host Jimmy Kimmel), and even allegedly working on a documentary and a reality show. His next venture?…
Long Island Man Intercepts, Swipes $79K Gov. Aid Check From Mail: Police Long Island Man Intercepts, Swipes $79K Gov. Aid Check From Mail: Police
Long Island Man Intercepts, Swipes $79K Gov. Aid Check From Mail: Police A man was arrested after he allegedly managed to intercept a nearly $80,000 check mailed from the US Treasury Department to a woman in Virginia. Justin Meneses, age 25, was arrested on Wednesday, June 5, according to Nassau County Police. Nearly three months before in Hicksville, on March 29, Meneses allegedly intercepted a check that was sent from the government’s Hardship Loan Program to a 57-year-old woman in the state of Virginia. Meneses, who is from Hauppauge, altered and deposited the $79,876.52 check into his personal account, police said. He was arrested following an investiga…
Westchester Postal Carrier Took Credit Cards, Checks From Mail, Stole Identities: Feds Westchester Postal Carrier Took Credit Cards, Checks From Mail, Stole Identities: Feds
Westchester 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…
Accused Check Fraudster Escapes Police Custody Outside Long Island Walmart Accused Check Fraudster Escapes Police Custody Outside Long Island Walmart
Accused Check Fraudster Escapes Police Custody Outside Long Island Walmart An alleged check fraudster managed to slip away from police custody after being busted at a Long Island Walmart store. Suffolk County Police were called to the Riverhead Walmart, located on Old Country Road, at around 9 p.m. Friday, May 10 for a man who was reportedly trying to cash a US Department of Treasury check with a fraudulent passport ID card. When officers arrived, the suspect attempted to run away from the store but was apprehended and detained by police. However, a short time later he managed to slip into a waiting vehicle and flee the scene. Following an investigation by Riverh…
ID Theft: Amityville Man Wore Surgical Masks, Used Fraudulent Credit Cards, Police Say ID Theft: Amityville Man Wore Surgical Masks, Used Fraudulent Credit Cards, Police Say
ID Theft: Amityville Man Wore Surgical Masks, Used Fraudulent Credit Cards, Police Say A Long Island man accused of identity theft is facing three felony charges after police say he wore surgical masks to make purchases. New York State Police said that in November 2022, investigators received a complaint about a fraudulent purchase from the North Fork True Value in Riverhead. Investigators used the surveillance videos to identify the suspect and connect him to the other crimes he had committed over the two years. After a lengthy investigation, the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested Anton S. Millsaps, age 34, of Amityville, and charged him with: …
George Santos Announces Comeback Bid For NY Congressional Seat: 'Off To The Races' George Santos Announces Comeback Bid For NY Congressional Seat: 'Off To The Races'
George Santos Announces Comeback Bid For NY Congressional Seat: 'Off To The Races' Disgraced former New York Rep. George Santos is mounting a comeback campaign. The Republican ex-lawmaker from Long Island – who was ousted from his 3rd District seat representing parts of Nassau County and Queens – announced a primary challenge against Rep. Nick LaLota for his 1st District seat. In a statement on X shared during President Biden’s State of the Union address Thursday night, March 7, Santos said New York hasn’t had “a real conservative represent them” since he left office “thanks to RINO, empty suits like Nick LaLota.” Earlier Report: Exiled Congressman Turned Reality …
Exiled Congressman Turned Reality TV Star? 2 George Santos Productions In Works, He Claims Exiled Congressman Turned Reality TV Star? 2 George Santos Productions In Works, He Claims
Exiled Congressman Turned Reality TV Star? 2 George Santos Productions In Works, He Claims If disgraced former New York congressman and admitted liar George Santos is to be believed, you haven’t seen the last of him. The Republican ex-lawmaker told City & State New York he’s been busy working on both a documentary and a reality TV show since being ousted from his 3rd District House seat representing parts of Nassau County and Queens. “So there’s just so many things that I’m working on now that I prefer to engage in instead of going into a messy primary to take on (newly sworn-in Democratic Rep.) Tom Suozzi,” Santos told the outlet. Earlier Report: Not Laughi…
$8K Heist: Teen Nabbed For Stealing Long Island Check, Police Said $8K Heist: Teen Nabbed For Stealing Long Island Check, Police Said
$8K Heist: Teen Nabbed For Stealing Long Island Check, Police Said An 18-year-old man was arrested months after he allegedly stole a mailed check from Long Island and deposited it for himself. Nassau County Police announced it had arrested Andrew Herrera, age 18, for his alleged role in stealing an Atlantic Beach check nearly a year before, in March 2023. The victim, a 69-year-old man, first mailed the $8,000 check from the Atlantic Beach Post Office, at 1848 Park Street. Months later, in July 2023, the man was notified that his check had never been delivered. When he went to the bank the next day, the victim found out the check had been deposited int…
ID Thief Admits Stealing $10K From Long Island Residents ID Thief Admits Stealing $10K From Long Island Residents
ID Thief Admits Stealing $10K From Long Island Residents An admitted identity thief is facing prison time after stealing nearly $10,000 from two Long Island victims. Donald Archibald, age 44, of the Bronx, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of grand larceny and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Friday, Feb. 9. Prosecutors said Archibald obtained a Suffolk County resident’s address and personal information from the dark web in April 2023 and used it to make a fake driver’s license with that person’s information but his own photo. He then went to an M&T Bank in Bridgeport, Connecticut and used the phony ID to withdraw $2,000 from the v…
Long Island Man Impersonated NBA Star On Phone, More In Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Long Island Man Impersonated NBA Star On Phone, More In Multi-Million Dollar Fraud
Long Island Man Impersonated NBA Star On Phone, More In Multi-Million Dollar Fraud A Long Island man who used his medical billing companies for a massive scam now owes over $300 million in restitution after he made thousands of phony phone calls and more. The United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) announced 54-year-old East Northport resident Matthew James’ sentence for the scheme, during which he pretended to be both an NBA player and an NFL partner, on Friday, Feb. 2. James was the operator of multiple medical billing companies that provided billing services for physicians throughout the United States, mainly plastic surgeons. As a third-party biller, James would submi…
George Santos In Talks For Plea Deal In 23-Count Federal Case, Court Filing Shows George Santos In Talks For Plea Deal In 23-Count Federal Case, Court Filing Shows
George Santos In Talks For Plea Deal In 23-Count Federal Case, Court Filing Shows Disgraced former New York Rep. George Santos may avoid leaving his fate up to a trial in his federal fraud case. The Republican ex-congressman is currently in talks with federal prosecutors for a possible plea deal in his 23-count criminal case, according to a filing in Central Islip federal court on Monday, Dec. 11. In the joint filing, US Attorney Breon Peace and Santos asked the court to schedule the next status conference in approximately 30 days, saying “the parties are presently engaged in plea negotiations with the goal of resolving this matter without the need for a trial.” Earli…
Duo Nabbed For Identity Theft, Drug Possession At Northern Westchester Bank, Police Say Duo Nabbed For Identity Theft, Drug Possession At Northern Westchester Bank, Police Say
Duo Nabbed For Identity Theft, Drug Possession At Northern Westchester Bank, Police Say A Hudson Valley and Long Island man were both arrested on identity theft charges after being caught with a victim's personal information and a forged driver's license at a Northern Westchester bank, police said. Both Dutchess County resident Duane Pelt of Fishkill, age 59, and Suffolk County resident Kevin Weiss of East Hampton, age 23, were arrested on Wednesday, Nov 29 in connection with an alleged identity theft incident in Yorktown, Yorktown Police announced. According to the department, around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, officers responded to the Chase Bank in Yorktown at 720 Lee Blvd. and be…
Medical Company Data Breach: Affected NY Residents Warned Of Potential Identity Theft Medical Company Data Breach: Affected NY Residents Warned Of Potential Identity Theft
Medical Company Data Breach: Affected NY Residents Warned Of Potential Identity Theft Millions of New Yorkers are being warned by Attorney General Leticia James to protect themselves against identity theft following a data breach at a medical transcription company.  The warning, issued by James on Tuesday, Nov. 28, urges New York residents to take action to prevent their identities from being stolen in the midst of a data breach at medical transcription company Perry Johnson & Associates.  The Nevada-based company, which provides transcription services to healthcare organizations and physicians to help them dictate and transcribe patient notes, first becam…
Santos Saga: Ethics Committee Won’t Recommend Punishment For Embattled NY Rep, Report Says Santos Saga: Ethics Committee Won’t Recommend Punishment For Embattled NY Rep, Report Says
Santos Saga: Ethics Committee Won’t Recommend Punishment For Embattled NY Rep, Report Says After months of investigating embattled New York Rep. George Santos, the House Ethics Committee won’t recommend any punishment for the freshman lawmaker, ABC News reports. Instead, the ten-member committee, made up of five Republicans and five Democrats, will leave any disciplinary actions up to the House as a whole, Chair Michael Guest told the outlet. Santos, a Long Island Republican whose 3rd District includes parts of Nassau County and Queens, found himself in the committee’s sights in March 2023 after admitting that he lied about much of his background on the campaign trail. Earlier…
George Santos Campaign Staffer Admits Defrauding Donors By Impersonating Speaker's Aide George Santos Campaign Staffer Admits Defrauding Donors By Impersonating Speaker's Aide
George Santos Campaign Staffer Admits Defrauding Donors By Impersonating Speaker's Aide A campaign staffer who worked to elect New York Rep. George Santos has confessed to impersonating a high-level Congressional aide in order to raise money for him and line his own pockets. Samuel Miele, age 27, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in Central Islip federal court on Tuesday, Nov. 14. Miele was a fundraiser for Santos’ congressional campaigns in both 2020 and 2022, according to the US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District. Earlier Report: George Santos Pleads Not Guilty To 10 New Federal Charges; Here's When He'll Stand Trial Santos ran as a Republican and was elected to …
George Santos Dodges Expulsion From House: 'Victory For Due Process' George Santos Dodges Expulsion From House: 'Victory For Due Process'
George Santos Dodges Expulsion From House: 'Victory For Due Process' New York Rep. George Santos, who admitted to lying about his background and is facing nearly two dozen federal criminal charges, is claiming victory after an effort to expel him from Congress failed. The freshman Republican lawmaker from Long Island, whose 3rd District represents parts of Nassau County and Queens, easily survived a resolution brought by his fellow New York Republicans to oust Santos from the House on Wednesday, Nov. 1. The resolution failed with 179 members voting in favor and 213 voting against. Nineteen members voted “present.” Earlier Report: George Santos Pleads Not…
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…
George Santos Pleads Not Guilty To 10 New Federal Charges; Here's When He'll Stand Trial George Santos Pleads Not Guilty To 10 New Federal Charges; Here's When He'll Stand Trial
George Santos Pleads Not Guilty To 10 New Federal Charges; Here's When He'll Stand Trial Beleaguered New York Rep. George Santos was back in a federal courtroom to formally answer to a host of new fraud charges. The Republican lawmaker, whose 3rd District on Long Island includes parts of Nassau County and Queens, pleaded not guilty to 10 new counts in US District Court in Central Islip on Friday, Oct. 27. Judge Joanna Seybert set a trial date for Thursday, Sept. 9, 2024. Earlier Report: George Santos Stole Thousands From Donors, Inflated Fundraising Totals, New Indictment Alleges In their 23-count superseding indictment, which includes allegations of wire fraud and ident…
George Santos Stole Thousands From Donors, Inflated Fundraising Totals, New Indictment Alleges George Santos Stole Thousands From Donors, Inflated Fundraising Totals, New Indictment Alleges
George Santos Stole Thousands From Donors, Inflated Fundraising Totals, New Indictment Alleges Federal prosecutors have slapped embattled New York Congressman George Santos with an array of additional criminal charges just days after his ex-campaign treasurer implicated him in an alleged scheme to dupe donors. In a 23-count superseding indictment filed in US District Court in the Eastern District on Tuesday, Oct. 10, prosecutors outlined two new schemes that allegedly helped the freshman Republican lawmaker cheat his way into office. The first, dubbed the “Credit Card Fraud Scheme,” allegedly took place between December 2021 and August 2022. Prosecutors say Santos stole the personal …
George Santos' Ex-Campaign Treasurer Admits Role In Reporting Thousands In Fictional Loans George Santos' Ex-Campaign Treasurer Admits Role In Reporting Thousands In Fictional Loans
George Santos' Ex-Campaign Treasurer Admits Role In Reporting Thousands In Fictional Loans The woman who once oversaw the finances of embattled New York Rep. George Santos’ congressional campaign has confessed to filing fictional finance reports on his behalf, saying he was well aware of the scheme. Nancy Marks, a former campaign treasurer during Santos’ two congressional bids, pleaded guilty to a felony count of conspiracy to defraud the United States in federal court in Central Islip on Thursday, Oct. 5. She admitted that she and Santos, a Republican whose 3rd District represents parts of Nassau County and Queens, recorded phony campaign finance reports stating that Santos had…
Home Health Aide Fraud: Long Island Woman Nabbed Home Health Aide Fraud: Long Island Woman Nabbed
Home Health Aide Fraud: Long Island Woman Nabbed A woman was arrested after police say she scammed a Long Island man she was working for. On Friday, Sept. 29, Shaday Lawrence, age 25 of Bellmore, was arrested for her alleged crimes, according to Nassau County Police. Lawrence was working as a home health aide for a 51-year-old man when on Monday, June 26, he noticed that his credit card had two fraudulent charges on it. The monthslong investigation by police determined Lawrence was responsible for the identity theft. She is charged with: Forgery Falsifying business record Petit Larceny Unlawful possession of personal ID Identity …
Seen Him? Hungry Thief Stops At Burger King After Stealing Car On Long Island, Police Say Seen Him? Hungry Thief Stops At Burger King After Stealing Car On Long Island, Police Say
Seen Him? Hungry Thief Stops At Burger King After Stealing Car On Long Island, Police Say All that criming can really build up an appetite. Police are asking for help in identifying a man accused of stealing a car before stopping at a Long Island fast food joint for a bite to eat. Suffolk County Police said a Honda Civic was stolen in Huntington Station, on Station Way, early Saturday morning, June 10. A short time later, a man used a credit card that had been left inside the vehicle at a Burger King in Huntington, police said. Detectives released a surveillance photo showing a young man at the restaurant’s drive-through window. Suffolk County Crime Stoppers is offering a ca…
'High Risk, High Reward': Santos Staffer Impersonated Speaker's Aide To Fundraise, Feds Say 'High Risk, High Reward': Santos Staffer Impersonated Speaker's Aide To Fundraise, Feds Say
'High Risk, High Reward': Santos Staffer Impersonated Speaker's Aide To Fundraise, Feds Say A campaign staffer who worked to elect New York Rep. George Santos impersonated a high-level Congressional aide in order to raise money for the then-aspiring lawmaker, a scheme that Santos was well aware of, federal prosecutors allege. Samuel Miele, age 27, is charged with wire fraud and identity theft as part of a five-count indictment that was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn on Wednesday, Aug. 16. Miele was a fundraiser for Santos’ congressional campaigns in both 2020 and 2022, according to the US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District. Earlier Report: Trio Of Schemes T…
'Bust-Out' Sentence: Man Steals $290K Using Fake Credit Cards In Long Island Scam 'Bust-Out' Sentence: Man Steals $290K Using Fake Credit Cards In Long Island Scam
'Bust-Out' Sentence: Man Steals $290K Using Fake Credit Cards In Long Island Scam Officials announced that a man has been sentenced to time behind bars for a “bust-out” scam in which he opened credit cards in other people’s names — including people who have died — to make expensive purchases that he could then resell. On Wednesday, July 26, 58-year-old John Chen was sentenced to three-and-a-half to seven years in prison for charges related to the scam, the Nassau County District Attorney announced. Between November 2020 and December 2021, American Express investigators noticed that about 10 cardholders were making similar expensive purchases at the same stores. The majo…
Confession: LI Man Steals Dead Brother's Identity To Collect $160K In Disability While Working Confession: LI Man Steals Dead Brother's Identity To Collect $160K In Disability While Working
Confession: LI Man Steals Dead Brother's Identity To Collect $160K In Disability While Working A Long Island man is facing jail time after admitting that he stole his late brother’s identity in order to collect six figures worth of disability benefits while continuing to work. Stavros Tsakonis, age 61, of Shirley, pleaded guilty to identity theft and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, July 26. Prosecutors said Tsakonis received more than $160,000 in disability benefits between February 2015 and January 2023 while claiming to the US Social Security Administration that he was too disabled to work. Earlier Report: Shirley Man Stole Dead Brother's ID To Collect …
$400K Stolen By Long Island Business Owner Went Toward Mortgage, Phone Bills: DA $400K Stolen By Long Island Business Owner Went Toward Mortgage, Phone Bills: DA
$400K Stolen By Long Island Business Owner Went Toward Mortgage, Phone Bills: DA A Long Island business owner is facing multiple charges after allegedly siphoning hundreds of thousands of dollars from customers and another company for personal expenses. Mark Ripolone, age 35, of Montauk, was arraigned in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, May 3, on charges of grand larceny and identity theft, according to the district attorney’s office. He was the owner of “123 Delivery,” a food delivery service, and a beach service company called “Hampton Management Group,” which provided luxury beach chair setups and decorations for special events. According to investigators, between…