Tag:

Fraud

Ghost-Tapping Scam Could Lead To Full Bank Account Being Drained: What To Know Ghost-Tapping Scam Could Lead To Full Bank Account Being Drained: What To Know
Ghost-Tapping Scam Could Lead To Full Bank Account Being Drained: What To Know A barely noticeable charge showing up on your bank statement could be the first sign of a much bigger problem, one that can quietly spiral into serious financial loss. Consumers across the US are being warned about a so-called “ghost tapping” scam that begins with a small charge, often around $4, and can end with an entire bank account drained. The scheme targets customers of major banks, including Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo, according to reports by Fox News and The Sun. The scam typically starts with what appears to be a harmless, low-dollar transaction. Fraudsters use t…
TEDx To Tax Evasion: Vertical Farming Visionary Jack Griffin Funnels Cash To Wife's Account TEDx To Tax Evasion: Vertical Farming Visionary Jack Griffin Funnels Cash To Wife's Account
TEDx To Tax Evasion: Vertical Farming Visionary Jack Griffin Funnels Cash To Wife's Account Jack Griffin told the world he was building the future of farming. He gave a TEDx Talk. He stood before Congress. He promised to wipe out food deserts with high-tech vertical farms that could grow strawberries on a second floor and turn kale into jet fuel. But federal investigators say Griffin was really just pocketing. And now he’s headed to prison, the FBI announced on Monday, Feb. 2. The Sentence Jack Frances “Jack” Griffin, 62, of Philadelphia, faced up to 20 years in prison for each wire fraud charge and five years for tax evasion. His sentencing was originally scheduled for Oct. 22,…
Lawyer Who Forged Federal Judge’s Signature Twice To Trick Client Gets Prison Time Lawyer Who Forged Federal Judge’s Signature Twice To Trick Client Gets Prison Time
Lawyer Who Forged Federal Judge’s Signature Twice To Trick Client Gets Prison Time A disgraced attorney is heading to prison after forging a judge’s name on a fake custody order — one of several legal schemes he's been convicted of in recent months, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Monday, Dec. 15. Michael Brandon Cohen, 42, of Hollidaysburg, was sentenced to one to three years in state prison after pleading guilty to forgery for creating a false custody order to benefit a client, according to AG Sunday. Cohen’s fabricated order prompted the client to violate a court-approved custody agreement by moving her child out of the county — all based on his …
NY Man Dodged $600K In Workers’ Comp Premiums: DA NY Man Dodged $600K In Workers’ Comp Premiums: DA
NY Man Dodged $600K In Workers’ Comp Premiums: DA A construction company owner who underreported more than $3.5 million in payroll to dodge workers’ compensation premiums has been sentenced, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Mahendranauth Khargie, 36, and his Queens-based iron and erection company, GC Stud Inc., pleaded guilty on Oct. 21 to Insurance Fraud in the Third Degree, a felony. The company also pleaded guilty to failing to secure required workers’ compensation coverage, prosecutors said. The pair were sentenced on Tuesday, Dec. 2, to a Conditional Discharge and ordered to pay $625,000 in…
NJ Man Posed As ‘Mohammed Ali’ In $59K NY Contractor Scam: Police NJ Man Posed As ‘Mohammed Ali’ In $59K NY Contractor Scam: Police
NJ Man Posed As ‘Mohammed Ali’ In $59K NY Contractor Scam: Police A man accused of posing as a contractor and stealing more than $59,000 from a Uniondale homeowner was arrested months after the alleged scam, detectives announced on Sunday, Nov. 23. Zohaib Farrukh, 37, of Piscataway, New Jersey, was taken into custody by First Squad detectives with assistance from First Precinct officers on Friday, Nov. 22, at 3:15 p.m., according to the release. The investigation began after a homeowner hired a construction company identified as North Falcon Construction Company of Avenue C in New York City and issued a check for $59,202.50 to a man who identified himsel…
How To Avoid Lottery, Prize Scams: You Didn’t Enter, But You 'Won'? How To Avoid Lottery, Prize Scams: You Didn’t Enter, But You 'Won'?
How To Avoid Lottery, Prize Scams: You Didn’t Enter, But You 'Won'? A surprise message says you hit the jackpot, but there’s a catch: you must pay a fee or hand over personal details to claim it.  That’s the hallmark of a lottery or prize scam—designed to separate you from your money and identity. These schemes often arrive by email, text, phone, or mail and lean on pressure tactics to force quick decisions.  Scammers frequently demand “taxes,” “processing,” or “shipping” upfront, or ask for sensitive data to “verify” you.  Legitimate lotteries do not require payment to release a prize, and you should never be asked for your Social Security…
Scammers Using Texts To Steal Bank Account Info: What To Know Scammers Using Texts To Steal Bank Account Info: What To Know
Scammers Using Texts To Steal Bank Account Info: What To Know It might look like a message from your bank. It might even sound urgent. But experts warn those texts could be nothing more than a scam designed to steal your money or personal information. Known as “smishing,” these fraudulent texts impersonate banks to trick people into handing over account details.  The scam often follows a pattern: a fake alert about a locked account or suspicious charge, followed by a link to a convincing but fraudulent website.  Entering information there can hand scammers access to your accounts, or worse, install malware on your phone. Your bank will nev…
Rensselaer Man Linked To $20K Scam Gets More Charges After Victims Come Forward: NYSP Rensselaer Man Linked To $20K Scam Gets More Charges After Victims Come Forward: NYSP
Rensselaer Man Linked To $20K Scam Gets More Charges After Victims Come Forward: Nysp A Rensselaer County man already accused of running a months-long scam that cost victims tens of thousands of dollars is now facing new charges after another victim came forward, police said.  Patrick Walsh, age 63, of Nassau, was arrested Tuesday, Sept. 16, on a warrant charging him with fourth-degree grand larceny and first-degree scheme to defraud, New York State Police announced on Tuesday, Sept. 23.  This was Walsh's second arrest since May, when he was first charged in connection with a scheme involving the theft of more than $20,000. According to police, Walsh took …
Don't Fall For Automatic Withdrawal Scams: Here's What To Know Don't Fall For Automatic Withdrawal Scams: Here's What To Know
Don't Fall For Automatic Withdrawal Scams: Here's What To Know The latest trick to drain your checking account doesn’t require your debit card. Just your bank and routing numbers.  Fraudsters posing as prize promoters or special-offer reps convince victims to “verify” account details, then use that information to pull money out—often again and again. Here’s what to know to spot these schemes and protect your money. What They Are These scams hinge on a criminal getting your bank account and routing numbers, often from a check image, a cold call, a mailed postcard, or a too-good-to-be-true email. The criminal then initiates unauthorized autom…
Jimmy Kimmel Gets Last Laugh As Appeals Court Tosses George Santos’ Cameo Lawsuit Jimmy Kimmel Gets Last Laugh As Appeals Court Tosses George Santos’ Cameo Lawsuit
Jimmy Kimmel Gets Last Laugh As Appeals Court Tosses George Santos’ Cameo Lawsuit Looks like the joke’s on George Santos. A federal appeals court rejected the disgraced former New York congressman’s lawsuit against Jimmy Kimmel, siding with the late-night host over his use of Santos’ Cameo videos that were used on-air. In a ruling Monday, Sept. 15, the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan said Santos’ copyright infringement claims were properly rejected by a lower court. Santos had accused Kimmel and ABC of deceiving him into creating personalized videos on the Cameo app that were later broadcast on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as part of a recurring bit called “Will Sant…
Don’t Cash In: Unsolicited Checks Could Cost You Big Don’t Cash In: Unsolicited Checks Could Cost You Big
Don’t Cash In: Unsolicited Checks Could Cost You Big Receiving a check in the mail might seem like a stroke of luck, but experts warn it could be the start of a costly scam.  Authorities are alerting consumers about a surge in unsolicited check fraud schemes targeting people across the US. How The Scam Works Unsolicited check fraud typically begins when you receive a check from someone you don’t know.  The scammer may contact you about a job, a prize, or even as an overpayment for something you’re selling online.  The check looks genuine, and when you deposit it, the funds may appear in your account almost immediately. But …
NY Appellate Court Throws Out Trump's $500M+ Fine For Inflating Wealth, Property Values NY Appellate Court Throws Out Trump's $500M+ Fine For Inflating Wealth, Property Values
NY Appellate Court Throws Out Trump's $500M+ Fine For Inflating Wealth, Property Values A New York appellate court struck down the half-billion-dollar penalty imposed on President Donald Trump and his company for lying about his wealth and inflating property values. The state supreme court's Appellate Division, First Judicial Department, overturned the roughly $527 million fine known as "disgorgement" on Thursday, Aug. 21. The appellate court justices were split on whether New York Attorney General Letitia James proved The Trump Organization committed fraud, but the majority said the fine was "excessive" and unconstitutional. James can appeal the decision to New…
NY Man Gets 4 Years For $1.7M COVID Loan Fraud, Lavish Spending Spree NY Man Gets 4 Years For $1.7M COVID Loan Fraud, Lavish Spending Spree
NY Man Gets 4 Years For $1.7M COVID Loan Fraud, Lavish Spending Spree A Long Island man will spend the next four years in federal prison for stealing more than $1.7 million in COVID-19 relief funds and using the money to fund a luxury lifestyle. Niall Alli, 52, of Inwood, was sentenced Wednesday, Aug. 13, in Central Islip federal court. He must also repay the full $1.7 million to the Small Business Administration (SBA) and forfeit about $135,000 in seized assets, including cryptocurrency. Alli pleaded guilty in December 2023. Between April 2020 and November 2021, he fraudulently obtained four Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans on behalf of two compani…
Impostor Scams Skyrocket Among Older Adults, FTC Warns: What To Do Impostor Scams Skyrocket Among Older Adults, FTC Warns: What To Do
Impostor Scams Skyrocket Among Older Adults, FTC Warns: What To Do Scams targeting older Americans are surging, causing victims to lose millions of dollars to scammers posing as government officials or trusted companies. The number of victims age 60 and older who lost more than $100,000 has increased by more than 700%, the Federal Trade Commission said on Thursday, Aug. 7. Those high-value thefts jumped from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2024. Older adults who lost at least $10,000 also dramatically rose by more than 300%. "While younger consumers also have reported these scams, older adults were much more likely to report these ex…
$1M Cross-Country Title-Washing Ring Used Stolen Porsches, Audis, BMWs In PA: AG $1M Cross-Country Title-Washing Ring Used Stolen Porsches, Audis, BMWs In PA: AG
$1M Cross-Country Title-Washing Ring Used Stolen Porsches, Audis, BMWs In PA: AG A high-end title-washing ring based in central Pennsylvania profited more than $1 million by selling stolen luxury cars from Florida, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Wednesday, Aug. 6. The fraudulent operation was allegedly led by 44-year-old Anthony E. Troncoso, who, with a network of 12 others, used fake documents to “wash” vehicle titles, then sold over two dozen stolen cars to private buyers, dealers, and auction houses between 2022 and 2023, according to AG Sunday. The vehicles—many of them Porsches, Audis, BMWs, Land Rovers, and other high-end brands—were stolen in Florida. …
NY Duo Posed As FBI Agents, Scammed Man Out Of $15K, Police Say NY Duo Posed As FBI Agents, Scammed Man Out Of $15K, Police Say
NY Duo Posed As FBI Agents, Scammed Man Out Of $15K, Police Say Two Brooklyn residents are accused of impersonating FBI agents to con a man into handing over $15,000 in a phony arrest threat. Wei Baoguo, 34, and Yu Sheng Gui, 38, were arrested Monday, Aug. 4, in Orange County following a criminal investigation by the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the agency said. Investigators concluded that the pair contacted a 27-year-old man and falsely claimed to be FBI agents, according to police. They allegedly told the victim he was under investigation and would be arrested unless he paid them $15,000. The victim agreed to meet with the…
$140K Fraud Committed By Former PA Senator's Aide Scamming Church, Supporters $140K Fraud Committed By Former PA Senator's Aide Scamming Church, Supporters
$140K Fraud Committed By Former PA Senator's Aide Scamming Church, Supporters A former aide to Pennsylvania state Sen. Vincent Hughes admitted to stealing more than $140,000 from a North Philadelphia church where he was a deacon and from a city political ward he led, the FBI announced on Saturday, Aug. 2.  Willie Jordan, 68, of Upper Darby, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle III to two counts of wire fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on Wednesday, July 30. From 2020 to 2024, Jordan exploited his roles at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and Philadelphia’s 44th Ward for personal benefit, court d…
Rapidly Spreading Scam Targets Drivers With Texts Meant To Click Quickly Rapidly Spreading Scam Targets Drivers With Texts Meant To Click Quickly
Rapidly Spreading Scam Targets Drivers With Texts Meant To Click Quickly A new scam is hitting phones with alarming claims tied to enforcement deadlines, and officials say it's designed to scare drivers into clicking fast. The messages are fraudulent and part of a growing trend known as smishing, or SMS-based phishing attacks, authorities say. The texts note an alleged traffic infraction and cite a specific deadline by which payment must be made to avoid license suspension, fines, or even criminal charges.  Some messages reference obscure motor vehicle codes or list a set of escalating penalties. A link is provided to submit payment through what appears to…
NYPD Officer Steals $87K From Elderly Bank Clients In NY For BMW, Aruba Trip: DA NYPD Officer Steals $87K From Elderly Bank Clients In NY For BMW, Aruba Trip: DA
Nypd Officer Steals $87K From Elderly Bank Clients In NY For BMW, Aruba Trip: DA An NYPD officer who previously worked at a Westchester bank has been charged in a sweeping financial crimes case accusing him of stealing over $85,000 from elderly customers and using the funds to pay for personal expenses—including a Caribbean vacation, luxury car payments, and fitness program subscriptions. Yeison Rodriguez Acosta, age 27, of Manhattan, was arraigned Thursday, July 17, in Rye City Court on a 30-count felony complaint stemming from a months-long investigation by the City of Rye Police Department and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, both agencies announced.…
Fyre Festival Brand Sold On eBay For Disappointing Price: 'This Sucks, It's So Low' Fyre Festival Brand Sold On eBay For Disappointing Price: 'This Sucks, It's So Low'
Fyre Festival Brand Sold On eBay For Disappointing Price: 'This Sucks, It's So Low' The name synonymous with a failed music festival, fraud, and bland cheese sandwiches has been sold on eBay. A bidder purchased Fyre Festival's notorious brand, trademarks, and social media accounts for $245,300 on Tuesday, July 15. The eBay auction ended at 12:44 p.m., closing a chapter in one of the most infamous stories in music festival history. According to the eBay listing, 42 bidders placed 175 bids in the auction. The brand's winning bidder hasn't been announced as of press time. The listing claimed the winner would have access to "the most talked-about festival brand in t…
Amazon Issues Alert For Prime Day Scam Amazon Issues Alert For Prime Day Scam
Amazon Issues Alert For Prime Day Scam Prime members are being urged to stay vigilant following a new scam warning by Amazon as its annual Prime Day event gets underway. Prime Day is often used by scammers as cover for phishing attempts and impersonation fraud. It runs from Tuesday, July 8, through Friday, July 11. The company says fraudsters are increasingly targeting shoppers with fake emails, texts, and phone calls that appear to come from Amazon.  The goal: to trick users into handing over personal or financial information. In many cases, the messages create a false sense of urgency, such as a problem with an ord…
Greene County Town Rocked By Fraud Investigation; Police Raid Town Hall, Seize Records Greene County Town Rocked By Fraud Investigation; Police Raid Town Hall, Seize Records
Greene County Town Rocked By Fraud Investigation; Police Raid Town Hall, Seize Records A quiet mountain town in Greene County is now at the center of a criminal investigation following a law enforcement raid at Town Hall. Members of the Greene County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the Jewett Town Hall as part of an investigation into alleged fraudulent activity on Wednesday, July 2, the agency announced days later. Investigators seized electronic devices, business records, and paper files during the search. The sheriff’s office has not released details on the nature of the allegations, what prompted the warrant, or whether any specific town employees are under …
Trio Ran $500K Luxury Car ID Theft Ring In NY, Dragged Cop While Fleeing: DOJ Trio Ran $500K Luxury Car ID Theft Ring In NY, Dragged Cop While Fleeing: DOJ
Trio Ran $500K Luxury Car ID Theft Ring In NY, Dragged Cop While Fleeing: DOJ Three men are accused of running a sophisticated identity theft ring that used stolen personal information of unsuspecting victims to buy luxury cars—some of which were stored on Long Island. The defendants—Tiansi Gong, 26, of Manhattan; Kevin McCarthy, 31, of Selden; and Matthew Hibner, 36, of Huntington Station—are accused of conspiring to obtain high-end vehicles using stolen identities, then stashing the cars at a lot on Zorn Avenue in Yaphank. Investigators determined that the scheme involved more than $500,000 in fraudulent vehicle loans tied to at least 35 identity theft victims, acc…
Funeral Home Owner Who Stashed 190 Decaying Bodies Gets Maximum Federal Sentence: 'Inhumane' Funeral Home Owner Who Stashed 190 Decaying Bodies Gets Maximum Federal Sentence: 'Inhumane'
Funeral Home Owner Who Stashed 190 Decaying Bodies Gets Maximum Federal Sentence: 'Inhumane' A Colorado man who gave grieving families urns filled with dry concrete instead of their loved ones’ ashes has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison — the maximum possible sentence, authorities announced Friday, June 27. Jon M. Hallford, 45, of Colorado Springs, was the owner of Return to Nature Funeral Home, which operated in Colorado Springs and Penrose alongside his wife, Carie Hallford.  Over a four-year period, Hallford failed to cremate or bury at least 190 bodies — while collecting more than $130,000 from families for services he never provided, the U.S. Attorney’s Office…
Ex-Gov Aide Used Fake China Referrals In NY COVID Kickback Scheme, DOJ Says Ex-Gov Aide Used Fake China Referrals In NY COVID Kickback Scheme, DOJ Says
Ex-Gov Aide Used Fake China Referrals In NY COVID Kickback Scheme, DOJ Says A former top New York State government official and her husband—already facing charges tied to acting as agents for China—are now accused in a multi-million-dollar kickback scheme tied to the COVID crisis. Linda Sun, 41, a former aide to Govs. Kathy Hochul and Andrew Cuomo, and her husband Chris Hu, 40, were indicted on additional charges including wire fraud and bribery by a federal grand jury in Brooklyn on Wednesday, June 25. According to a superseding indictment unsealed this week, Sun falsified information to steer lucrative PPE contracts to two vendors—one run by her cousin and the o…
Walmart To Pay $10M After Scammers Exploit Money Transfer Services, FTC Says Walmart To Pay $10M After Scammers Exploit Money Transfer Services, FTC Says
Walmart To Pay $10M After Scammers Exploit Money Transfer Services, FTC Says Walmart will pay $10 million and change its money transfer practices after federal regulators said the company let scammers steal hundreds of millions of dollars from Americans. Walmart agreed to the payout in a settlement, the Federal Trade Commission announced on Friday, June 20. The agency's three commissioners unanimously approved the final order. The FTC accused the retail giant of allowing fraudsters to misuse its wire transfer services between 2013 and 2018. "Electronic money transfers are one of the most common ways that scammers tell consumers to send them money, be…
'Heartless Frauds': Feds Seize Record $225M In Crypto From 'Pig Butchering' Scammers 'Heartless Frauds': Feds Seize Record $225M In Crypto From 'Pig Butchering' Scammers
'Heartless Frauds': Feds Seize Record $225M In Crypto From 'Pig Butchering' Scammers Federal agents have seized the largest amount of cryptocurrency ever related to "pig butchering" scams, where victims were tricked into fake online relationships. The Department of Justice announced the seizure of $225.3 million in crypto from the global "confidence scam" on Wednesday, June 18. The scam is also known as "pig butchering" since it uses tactics used to "fatten up" victims before draining their savings. Scammers relied on false identities through online messaging to gain trust and enter fake relationships before pushing fraudulent investments. "These scams prey …
Don’t Answer If You Get This Call, FBI Says Don’t Answer If You Get This Call, FBI Says
Don’t Answer If You Get This Call, FBI Says If you get a call from someone claiming to be the FBI or another government agency and threatens arrest unless you pay up, hang up. Scammers across the country are impersonating federal authorities and spoofing legitimate government phone numbers in a rising wave of fraud, authorities say. Victims are being told they face immediate arrest unless they send money via prepaid gift cards, wire transfers, cash, or cryptocurrency. The threats are fake, but the financial losses are very real. Here’s how the scam works: Caller ID spoofing — Scammers manipulate phone numbers so it looks like the …
Scammers Using Trump Tariff Confusion To Trick Online Shoppers, BBB Warns Scammers Using Trump Tariff Confusion To Trick Online Shoppers, BBB Warns
Scammers Using Trump Tariff Confusion To Trick Online Shoppers, BBB Warns Scammers are using the confusion surrounding President Donald Trump's changing tariffs to cover up missing packages and ignore refund requests. The Better Business Bureau says it's seeing more reports of shady sellers blaming "tariffs" and "customs delays" when products don't arrive. In many cases, the sellers vanish after taking your money. The BBB has warned that shoppers aren't typically responsible for tariffs after buying online and it's a red flag if a seller says your item is stuck in customs due to tariffs. "After 2 months of not receiving my product I have…
Handyman Takes $1K From Capital Region Client Before Skipping Out On Work, Police Say Handyman Takes $1K From Capital Region Client Before Skipping Out On Work, Police Say
Handyman Takes $1K From Capital Region Client Before Skipping Out On Work, Police Say A purported handyman took a Capital Region client’s cash before skipping out on the work, police alleged. Charles Ferrara, 52, of Schenectady, was arrested on suspicion of felony grand larceny on Sunday, June 8, following an investigation by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. Ferrara was hired by a Clifton Park resident to perform handyman-type work, and accepted a check for $1,045 from the client, deputies said.  But instead of performing the work, he cashed their check and cut all communication with the victim, according to investigators. Following his arrest, Ferrara was releas…
$1.2M Heist On Wheels: NY Dad-Son Duo Busted In Medicaid Limo Fraud Scheme: DA $1.2M Heist On Wheels: NY Dad-Son Duo Busted In Medicaid Limo Fraud Scheme: DA
$1.2M Heist On Wheels: NY Dad-Son Duo Busted In Medicaid Limo Fraud Scheme: DA A father-son duo from the Hudson Valley is accused of masterminding a $1.2 million Medicaid fraud scheme involving fake limo rides and kickbacks to patients. Muhammad W. Khan, 40, and his father, Mohammad A. Khan, 68 — both from Campbell Hall — falsified transportation records, billed for group rides as individual trips, and even paid off patients to use their Ulster County companies, according to state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. Muhammad Khan, owner of MAK Limo, is accused of stealing over $1.1 million between November 2020 and August 2024. His father, Mohammad Khan, who owns Atlas Limo,…