Tag:

Identity theft

PA Woman Accused Of $150K Wire, Check Fraud In New York: Police PA Woman Accused Of $150K Wire, Check Fraud In New York: Police
PA Woman Accused Of $150K Wire, Check Fraud In New York: Police A Pennsylvania woman is accused of stealing more than $150,000 through a wire transfer scam and altered check scheme targeting New York businesses, police announced on Saturday, Jan. 10. Danesha Glenn, 28, of Philadelphia, was arrested following an investigation by the Nassau County Police Department’s Electronics Squad Fraud and Forgery Section, according to police. Zench Eye Care, located on Merrick Road in Baldwin, received a fraudulent email on Monday, Sept. 20, requesting a wire transfer of $49,300 that appeared to be a legitimate vendor payment, detectives said. The transfer was compl…
NY AG Letitia James, Hairdresser At Center Of New Federal Probe: Report NY AG Letitia James, Hairdresser At Center Of New Federal Probe: Report
NY AG Letitia James, Hairdresser At Center Of New Federal Probe: Report New York Attorney General Letitia James and her longtime hairdresser, Iyesata Marsh, are the focus of a newly opened federal investigation, according to a report published Friday, Jan. 9, by The New York Times. The alleged new probe is examining “financial transactions” connected to James and her political campaign. The federal investigation marks the third of its kind involving James, following two previous cases that were both dismissed. The nature of the latest inquiry has not been fully detailed, but it reportedly centers on financial transactions potentially involving James' campaign. …
$65K In Liquor Bought By NY Man With Stolen Credit Cards Across 21 PA Counties: AG $65K In Liquor Bought By NY Man With Stolen Credit Cards Across 21 PA Counties: AG
$65K In Liquor Bought By NY Man With Stolen Credit Cards Across 21 PA Counties: AG A NY man is accused of buying more than $65,000 in liquor with stolen credit cards across 21 Pennsylvania counties, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Eugene Antwi, 26, of Brooklyn, allegedly placed more than 200 online orders for expensive liquors using stolen credit and debit cards, according to the Attorney General’s Office. Investigators said he then picked up the orders at Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores statewide. The scheme ran from August 2023 through September 2024 and involved falsified identities and multiple stolen financial accounts, authorities de…
NY Roommates Used Dead Men's Names To Steal Over $150K In COVID-19 Benefits, Jury Finds NY Roommates Used Dead Men's Names To Steal Over $150K In COVID-19 Benefits, Jury Finds
NY Roommates Used Dead Men's Names To Steal Over $150K In Covid-19 Benefits, Jury Finds A Westchester County man was convicted of stealing identities—including those of two men who died more than a decade ago—to collect over $150,000 in COVID unemployment benefits. Aly Kaba, 30, of New Rochelle, was found guilty Tuesday, Oct. 21, by an Albany federal jury after a five-day trial on conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Jurors deliberated less than three hours before convicting him on all counts. Evidence showed that in late 2020, Kaba and his former roommate, Tony Brobbey, filed fraudulent unemployment claims using multiple stolen identitie…
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…
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…
Fake Amazon Recall Texts Prompt FTC Warning Fake Amazon Recall Texts Prompt FTC Warning
Fake Amazon Recall Texts Prompt FTC Warning The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is urging the public to ignore and delete a new wave of phishing texts that masquerade as recall notices from Amazon and dangle instant refunds. According to the agency’s consumer-protection unit, the messages claim a “routine quality inspection” found a defect in a recent Amazon purchase. Buyers can secure a full refund — no return required — simply by tapping a supplied link. In reality, there is no refund. Clicking routes victims to look-alike sites designed to harvest Amazon credentials, credit-card numbers, or other personal data that can be resold or…
Man Sharing Babe Ruth’s Name Accused Of Fraud Using Dead Ballplayers’ IDs Man Sharing Babe Ruth’s Name Accused Of Fraud Using Dead Ballplayers’ IDs
Man Sharing Babe Ruth’s Name Accused Of Fraud Using Dead Ballplayers’ IDs He shares a name with baseball’s greatest legend, but prosecutors say this “Babe Ruth” swung for a different kind of home run, by allegedly stealing the identities of hundreds of ballplayers, dead and retired. A federal grand jury in Greeneville, Tennessee, returned a sweeping 91-count indictment late last week, charging George Herman Ruth, age 69, with masterminding an elaborate fraud scheme that netted more than half a million dollars. Ruth, whose full name matches that of Hall of Famer Babe Ruth (who was born George Herman Ruth in 1895), stands accused of mail fraud, aggravated identity …
$200K Scheme: Ex-Finance Manager Stole From NY Construction Firm, DA Says $200K Scheme: Ex-Finance Manager Stole From NY Construction Firm, DA Says
$200K Scheme: Ex-Finance Manager Stole From NY Construction Firm, DA Says A former construction company finance manager is accused of orchestrating a months-long scheme to steal more than $200,000 from her Westchester-based employer, prosecutors said. Michele Rinaldo, 52, of The Bronx, was arraigned Wednesday, Aug. 13, in Westchester County Court on a sweeping set of charges connected to her alleged theft from a White Plains-based construction firm, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced on Friday, Aug. 22. According to a felony complaint filed in the case, Rinaldo handled payroll and accounting for the firm, which the DA's Office did not nam…
$1.6K Identity Theft: Man Used Credit Card Left At NY Service Area, Police Say $1.6K Identity Theft: Man Used Credit Card Left At NY Service Area, Police Say
$1.6K Identity Theft: Man Used Credit Card Left At NY Service Area, Police Say A 28-year-old man was arrested after allegedly using a customer’s forgotten credit card to rack up more than $1,600 in charges in Rockland County, police said.  The incident happened on Monday, Aug. 11, around 8:21 p.m. at the Sloatsburg Service Area, New York State Police said on Monday, Aug. 18.  According to investigators, 28-year-old Raufoliana O. Louis Jean of Spring Valley, who worked at the service area, took a credit card that had been left behind and made purchases without the owner’s permission. Police said Louis Jean then used the card at several businesses in Spring V…
Phony Amazon Messages Target Shoppers With New Tricks: What To Know Now Phony Amazon Messages Target Shoppers With New Tricks: What To Know Now
Phony Amazon Messages Target Shoppers With New Tricks: What To Know Now That email claiming to be from Amazon about a mysterious order or urgent account issue? It could be a scammer’s trap waiting for you to click. Amazon users are being warned about a fresh wave of sophisticated scams hitting inboxes.  Fraudsters are sending emails and texts that look like they're from Amazon, often claiming something’s wrong with your account or a suspicious purchase has been made.  The messages urge you to click a link or call a customer service numbe, leading you straight into a scam. According to online security firm ExpressVPN, these phishing emails are design…
Cops Seek True ID Of Fake Nurse Who Used 20 Names, Stole Meds In Multiple States (UPDATE) Cops Seek True ID Of Fake Nurse Who Used 20 Names, Stole Meds In Multiple States (UPDATE)
Cops Seek True ID Of Fake Nurse Who Used 20 Names, Stole Meds In Multiple States (Update) A woman accused of posing as a nurse under 20 fake names and stealing prescription drugs from health care facilities across Pennsylvania and other states is now at the center of a growing criminal investigation — and police say they don’t even know who she really is. The woman has been charged under the name Shannon Nicole Womack, 39, but Pennsylvania State Police announced on Friday, July 25, that they are now seeking the public’s help in positively identifying her true legal name. Investigators have uncovered additional false identities since her April 2025 arrest, prompting police to rele…
George Santos Surrenders To NJ Prison: Inside His New Life Behind Bars George Santos Surrenders To NJ Prison: Inside His New Life Behind Bars
George Santos Surrenders To NJ Prison: Inside His New Life Behind Bars Disgraced former New York Rep. George Santos is officially trading Cameo videos for commissary lines. The ousted lawmaker, 37, surrendered to Federal Correctional Institution Fairton in New Jersey on Friday, July 25, to begin serving his seven-year sentence for wire fraud and identity theft. And, true to form, Santos did not go quietly: “Well, darlings… The curtain falls, the spotlight dims, and the rhinestones are packed,” Santos told his 211,000 followers on X the night before. “From the halls of Congress to the chaos of cable news, what a ride it’s been! Was it messy? Always. Glamorous…
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.…
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…
$1.1M Medicaid Scam: Woman Used Overseas ‘Patients’ In Massive Kickback Scam $1.1M Medicaid Scam: Woman Used Overseas ‘Patients’ In Massive Kickback Scam
$1.1M Medicaid Scam: Woman Used Overseas ‘Patients’ In Massive Kickback Scam A Pennsylvania woman used patients who had moved overseas to help pull off a $1.1 million Medicaid scam involving fake home care services and kickbacks, federal prosecutors said in a sweeping national health care fraud takedown that uncovered more than $14.6 billion in schemes, the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced on Saturday, July 5. Hemal Patel, 59, of Bensalem (Bucks County), forged doctors’ signatures, stole personal identities, and pocketed kickbacks from a home care agency that billed Medicaid for fake services, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District …
9 People Caught In North Korean Spy Plot That Conned US Companies To Fund Weapons Program: DOJ 9 People Caught In North Korean Spy Plot That Conned US Companies To Fund Weapons Program: DOJ
9 People Caught In North Korean Spy Plot That Conned US Companies To Fund Weapons Program: DOJ A New Jersey man and eight foreign nationals from China and Taiwan have been charged in Boston in what federal officials call a major scheme to secretly funnel money to North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction program. Zhenxing “Danny” Wang of New Jersey was arrested and accused of helping North Korean IT workers pose as Americans to get remote jobs with American companies, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  The workers allegedly used stolen identities to land jobs at major businesses, including a defense contractor. Authorities say this scam helped generate at least $5 million …
Billions Of Google, Facebook, Apple Passwords Breached In Potentially Record Hack Billions Of Google, Facebook, Apple Passwords Breached In Potentially Record Hack
Billions Of Google, Facebook, Apple Passwords Breached In Potentially Record Hack A newly discovered trove of stolen login credentials may represent the largest data breach in history, with billions of usernames and passwords now circulating online. Researchers with Cybernews uncovered more than 16 billion records spread across 30 databases, many of them tied to malware known as infostealers. The findings, published Wednesday, June 18, reveal that the leaked data spans social media platforms, business services, VPNs, and developer tools. The leaked datasets provide access to nearly every online service, including major platforms like Apple, Facebook, Google, GitHub, and…
Beware Of These Airport Mistakes, TSA Says Beware Of These Airport Mistakes, TSA Says
Beware Of These Airport Mistakes, TSA Says Think twice before you plug in or log on at the airport. Travelers who rely on free Wi-Fi or public charging stations could be putting their personal data at serious risk, federal officials say. In a warning aimed at cyber-safety during peak travel season, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) flagged two common behaviors that could make travelers targets for hackers: Avoid USB charging stations. Hackers can install malware at public ports — a method known as “juice jacking” or “port jacking.” Instead, use a TSA-compliant power bank or wall charger. Don’t trust public Wi-Fi. Ne…
$5.6M Fraud Scheme With 1K+ Stolen IDs; Including New York Lands PA Man Federal Charges $5.6M Fraud Scheme With 1K+ Stolen IDs; Including New York Lands PA Man Federal Charges
$5.6M Fraud Scheme With 1K+ Stolen IDs; Including New York Lands PA Man Federal Charges A Pennsylvania man is accused of stealing over $5.6 million in pandemic aid using more than 1,000 stolen or fake identities, federal prosecutors announced on Monday, June 16. Adepoju Babatunde Salako, 32, has been indicted in Colorado on multiple federal charges after allegedly orchestrating a nationwide COVID-19 benefits scam, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado. Salako faces six counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and four counts of aggravated identity theft, according to t…
Phony Texts Threaten Drivers With Suspensions: Here's What To Know Phony Texts Threaten Drivers With Suspensions: Here's What To Know
Phony Texts Threaten Drivers With Suspensions: Here's What To Know There’s a scam targeting drivers through text messages pretending to be from the DMV. Cybercriminals who once claimed victims owed unpaid tolls are now pivoting to a new phishing attack, according to authorities. If you’ve received a text message warning that your driver’s license is about to be suspended due to unpaid tickets, stop and think before you click. It might be a scam. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies are alerting the public about a new wave of phishing scams — specifically “smishing,” or fraudulent text messages — that claim to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles…
Massive Data Breach Exposes 184 Million Accounts: What To Know Massive Data Breach Exposes 184 Million Accounts: What To Know
Massive Data Breach Exposes 184 Million Accounts: What To Know A cybersecurity researcher has uncovered a massive trove of compromised login credentials, raising new alarms about the scope and scale of InfoStealer malware campaigns. The exposed Elasticsearch database contained more than 184 million unique usernames and passwords. It was not password-protected or encrypted, and it was publicly accessible when discovered earlier this month. The database included login details tied to popular platforms such as Microsoft, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.  It also contained services with potentially greater stakes, including banking portals, health …
Columbia Co. Victim Gave $100K In Gold, Cash To Scammer Posing As Federal Agent, Police Say Columbia Co. Victim Gave $100K In Gold, Cash To Scammer Posing As Federal Agent, Police Say
Columbia Co. Victim Gave $100K In Gold, Cash To Scammer Posing As Federal Agent, Police Say A Long Island man posing as a federal agent conned a Hudson Valley woman into handing over nearly $100,000 in cash and gold, police said. Mykhaylo Mykhaylov, 39, of Copiague, was busted during an undercover operation in Columbia County on Wednesday, May 7 — just as the victim was about to deliver yet another payment, New York State Police said. The 73-year-old victim first contacted police on Monday, May 5, after realizing she may have been targeted in a fraud scheme that began in March. She told troopers that people claiming to be agents with the Federal Trade Commission had convinced her …
Lyin’ King George Santos Sentenced To Prison In Final Act Of Political Circus Lyin’ King George Santos Sentenced To Prison In Final Act Of Political Circus
Lyin’ King George Santos Sentenced To Prison In Final Act Of Political Circus Disgraced former New York congressman and convicted fraudster George Santos is heading to federal prison. The Republican ex-lawmaker, 36, was sentenced to 87 months (just over 7 years) behind bars in Central Islip federal court on Friday, April 25, months after pleading guilty to wire fraud and identity theft.  As part of his plea agreement, Santos agreed to pay a $200,000 forfeiture and over $373,000 in restitution to his victims. Friday’s sentencing capped off one of the most bizarre chapters in American political history, one in which a sitting member of Congress was expelled and l…
Data Breach Exposed Driver's Licenses, Credit Cards Of Hertz Customers Data Breach Exposed Driver's Licenses, Credit Cards Of Hertz Customers
Data Breach Exposed Driver's Licenses, Credit Cards Of Hertz Customers Customers of car rental company Hertz may have had their personal information stolen after a data breach exposed driver's license numbers, credit card details, and other sensitive records. Hertz confirmed the breach involved data stored by Cleo Communications, a vendor used by Hertz for file transfers. Hackers exploited security flaws in Cleo's system in October and December 2024, according to the company. Hertz verified on Monday, Feb. 10, that an "unauthorized third party" accessed customer data. The company completed its investigation on Wednesday, April 2, and began notifying affec…
How Crappy: Inmate Vandalized Toilets At Capital Region Jail, Police Say How Crappy: Inmate Vandalized Toilets At Capital Region Jail, Police Say
How Crappy: Inmate Vandalized Toilets At Capital Region Jail, Police Say A criminal defendant is accused of vandalizing multiple toilets at a Capital Region jail. Michael Vinciguerra Jr., 32, of Burnt Hills, was re-arrested Wednesday, April 9, for alleged vandalism that occurred at the Saratoga County jail in Ballston Spa. An investigation found that Vinciguerra, who was being held at the jail pending a criminal case, purposely damaged toilets on three different occasions in February and March, according to sheriff’s officials. The cost of repairs exceeded $1,500. Vinciguerra was arraigned in the Milton Town Court and returned to the Saratoga County jail while …
Fraudulent Texts Pretend To Be From USPS Fraudulent Texts Pretend To Be From USPS
Fraudulent Texts Pretend To Be From USPS 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. Postal inspectors say these scams are becoming more advanced, but there are clear warning signs: Smishi…
Former NFL, College Coach Accused In Hacking Scandal Allegedly Targeting Athletes Former NFL, College Coach Accused In Hacking Scandal Allegedly Targeting Athletes
Former NFL, College Coach Accused In Hacking Scandal Allegedly Targeting Athletes In a striking development that has captured national attention, a former NFL and collegiate football coach has been accused of hacking into computers at over 100 colleges and universities to gain access of intimate photos of students, allegedly targeting female athletes. The accused is Matthew Weiss, age 42, a Connecticut native from Cheshire, who previously served as co-offensive coordinator at the University of Michigan.  Acting United States Attorney Julie A. Beck announced the charges on Thursday, March 20. They include 14 counts of unauthorized access to computers and 10 counts of…
$42K Phone Scam: Duo Impersonated Government Agents To Steal In Hudson Valley, Police Say $42K Phone Scam: Duo Impersonated Government Agents To Steal In Hudson Valley, Police Say
$42K Phone Scam: Duo Impersonated Government Agents To Steal In Hudson Valley, Police Say Two men were apprehended after allegedly running a telephone scam that tricked an Orange County woman into handing over $42,000, authorities said.  New York City residents Nian Lin, 40, and Zhen Chen, 25, were taken into custody on Friday, March 14, after a sting operation led by Port Jervis Police with assistance from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the Orange County Drug Task Force, and the US Department of Homeland Security, authorities announced on Wednesday, March 19.  According to police, the duo pretended to be government officials and told the victim her iden…
Online Scammers Using This Method To Steal Personal Info, FBI Says Online Scammers Using This Method To Steal Personal Info, FBI Says
Online Scammers Using This Method To Steal Personal Info, FBI Says The FBI has issued a warning about cybercriminals exploiting victims to distribute malware and steal personal information. ​ Fraudulent free online file converter tools offer services like converting or merging files—such as transforming a .doc file to a .pdf or combining multiple images into a single document. While they perform the advertised tasks, they may also install hidden malware on users' computers.  This malware can grant criminals access to sensitive data, including Social Security numbers, banking details, cryptocurrency information, email addresses, and passwords.  …