Tag:

Financial Fraud

Delete These Suspicious Texts Immediately, FBI Warns Delete These Suspicious Texts Immediately, FBI Warns
Delete These Suspicious Texts Immediately, FBI Warns The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued an urgent warning about a widespread text message scam designed to steal personal and financial information from unsuspecting victims. Known as “smishing” (SMS phishing), the scam involves fraudulent texts impersonating toll and package delivery services to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or revealing sensitive data. According to cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42, cybercriminals have registered over 10,000 fraudulent domains as part of this operation, targeting at least 11 states and one Canadian province. Key…
Scammers Impersonating IRS With These Texts: Here's What To Know Scammers Impersonating IRS With These Texts: Here's What To Know
Scammers Impersonating IRS With These Texts: Here's What To Know A new scam is making the rounds, with fraudsters posing as Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents and sending text messages promising a substantial rebate.  The trap is a phishing attempt designed to steal your personal and financial information. What’s Happening? The fraudulent messages claim recipients are eligible for a $1,400 stimulus check, directing them to click on a fake link to “claim” their payment.  How The Scam Works You receive a text message appearing to be from the IRS, stating that you’re owed an Economic Impact Payment and must provide personal information …
NY Man Who 'Lived Large' Off $1 Million Ponzi Scheme Sentenced NY Man Who 'Lived Large' Off $1 Million Ponzi Scheme Sentenced
NY Man Who 'Lived Large' Off $1 Million Ponzi Scheme Sentenced A former New York investment broker has received a lengthy stay in prison for running a million-dollar Ponzi scheme. Long Island resident Rand Heckler, age 67, of Glen Cove, was sentenced to up to seven-and-a-half years in prison on Wednesday, May 15, the Nassau County District Attorney (NCDA) announced. Heckler was an investment broker in 2015 when he began his scheme, recommending that his friend and his friend’s son that they invest in a hedge fund of stocks and securities that Heckler was managing. Original Story - $1 Million Ponzi Scheme: Glen Cove Investment Broker Pleads …
NY Law Requiring Businesses To Warn Customers Of Gift Card Scams Takes Effect NY Law Requiring Businesses To Warn Customers Of Gift Card Scams Takes Effect
NY Law Requiring Businesses To Warn Customers Of Gift Card Scams Takes Effect Leaders in New York have given consumers another tool in their belt to help fend off would-be fraudsters. New legislation that went into effect on Tuesday, June 20, requires businesses that sell gift cards in New York to post a notice warning customers about gift card scams. Notices must be posted near where any gift card or gift certificate is displayed or sold. The law was introduced by Long Island State Sen. Kevin Thomas, a Democrat whose 6th Senate District covers central Nassau County. Thomas chairs the senate’s Consumer Protection Committee. “I am happy to see the Department of St…
$500K Scheme: Hudson Valley Man Stole From Retirement Accounts $500K Scheme: Hudson Valley Man Stole From Retirement Accounts
$500K Scheme: Hudson Valley Man Stole From Retirement Accounts A former financial advisor from the Hudson Valley has been convicted of participating in a scheme to steal from a retirement fund sponsored by a labor union for law enforcement employees.  Putnam County resident Andrew Brown, age 55, of Putnam Valley, was convicted of defrauding members of the Law Enforcement Employees Benevolent Association (LEEBA), a labor union for law enforcement officers employed by New York City, the US Attorney's Office for Southern District of New York announced on Wednesday, May 31.  Brown, along with former LEEBA President and New York State Tr…
$260K Stolen From Capital Region Victim's Bank Account By Power Of Attorney, Police Say $260K Stolen From Capital Region Victim's Bank Account By Power Of Attorney, Police Say
$260K Stolen From Capital Region Victim's Bank Account By Power Of Attorney, Police Say A man from the region tasked with looking after the finances of another is facing charges after allegedly stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from them. Saratoga County resident Ivan Gerdwagen, age 65, of Saratoga Springs, was arrested Sunday, April 16, following an investigation by New York State Police. It came days after troopers were first contacted with a complaint that over $260,000 was missing from the victim’s bank account, according to police. Investigators determined that Gerdwagen, who was acting as the victim’s power of attorney, stole the money between August 2022 and J…
Embattled NY Rep. George Santos 'Proudly' Announces Re-Election Bid: 'We Need A Fighter' Embattled NY Rep. George Santos 'Proudly' Announces Re-Election Bid: 'We Need A Fighter'
Embattled NY Rep. George Santos 'Proudly' Announces Re-Election Bid: 'We Need A Fighter' Just 104 days after taking office, embattled New York Congressman George Santos “proudly” announced that he is running for re-election. Santos, whose 3rd District represents parts of Nassau County and Queens, made it official in a statement released Monday, April 17, in which he touted his re-election campaign as being “about TAKING BACK our country and restoring greatness back to New York.” Related Report: Nassau Rep. George Santos Confesses To Defrauding Brazilian Clerk Of $1,300 In Clothing: Report The freshman Republican, age 34, claimed he’s already made “significant efforts” to fulf…
$52M Scheme: 10 Charged By Feds In Fraud Case Targeting Westchester-Based Company $52M Scheme: 10 Charged By Feds In Fraud Case Targeting Westchester-Based Company
$52M Scheme: 10 Charged By Feds In Fraud Case Targeting Westchester-Based Company Ten people have been charged in connection with a massive scheme to defraud a leading cargo airline based in New York of tens of millions of dollars in revenue and the services of its employees, federal authorities announced. The 10 charged are: Connecticut resident Abilash Kurien, age 45, of Wilton in Fairfield County; Hudson Valley resident Carlton Llewellyn, age 55, of Highland Mills in Orange County; Long Island resident Robert Schirmer, age 58, of Port Jefferson Station; Queens resident Patrick Lau, 43, of Flushing; Lars Winkelbauer, age 47, of Bangkok, Thailand; Skye …
Westchester Caseworker Accused Of Stealing More Than $300K From Client Westchester Caseworker Accused Of Stealing More Than $300K From Client
Westchester Caseworker Accused Of Stealing More Than $300K From Client A Westchester County caseworker who resides in Connecticut faces numerous charges after allegedly stealing more than $300,000 from a 95-year-old woman suffering from dementia whom she had been taking care of.  Fairfield County resident Chantel Chenault, age 46, of Danbury, was indicted on multiple charges on Friday, March 24 for stealing from the elderly woman under her care in Westchester, according to New York Attorney General Letitia James.  According to officials from James's office, Chenault became the woman's caseworker in 2017 and was employed with the Westch…
NY AG Suing Donald Trump, 3 Of His Children For Financial Fraud NY AG Suing Donald Trump, 3 Of His Children For Financial Fraud
NY AG Suing Donald Trump, 3 Of His Children For Financial Fraud New York's Attorney General announced that she has filed a $250 million civil lawsuit against Donald Trump and three of his adult children for financial fraud. The AG, Letitia James, said in a press conference in New York City just before noontime on Wednesday, Sept. 21 that Trump "repeatedly and persistently" misstated the value of assets. "The complaint demonstrates Donald Trump inflated his net worth by billions of dollars," said James, who also named Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Eric Trump in the suit.  The 222-page complaint details 23 examples of inflating asset…
Police Issue Alert For Mailbox Thieves Stealing Checks In Northern Westchester Police Issue Alert For Mailbox Thieves Stealing Checks In Northern Westchester
Police Issue Alert For Mailbox Thieves Stealing Checks In Northern Westchester Police issued an alert to Northern Westchester residents about thieves who are stealing checks from a curbside mailbox in the area. The Peekskill Police Department announced on Friday, Sept. 9, that investigators believe suspects are stealing checks from the United State Post Office curbside mailbox located at 738 South St. in Peekskill. "Please do not place mail containing checks in the curbside mailbox located outside in front of the Peekskill Post Office," police said. "It appears that checks are being stolen from this particular curbside mailbox and the thieves are using them for i…
Capital District Woman Stole $50K From Veteran, VA's Office, Feds Say Capital District Woman Stole $50K From Veteran, VA's Office, Feds Say
Capital District Woman Stole $50K From Veteran, VA's Office, Feds Say A Capital District woman who was trusted to manage the finances of a legally incompetent veteran is accused of misappropriating tens of thousands of dollars. Saratoga County resident JoAnne Natalie, age 64, of Saratoga Springs, appeared in federal court in Albany Thursday, July 21, where she was arraigned on charges of stealing from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and misappropriating funds. Natalie was released pending a trial before US District Judge Glenn Suddaby. Federal prosecutors are seeking to have Natalie forfeit $50,174, the amount she allegedly stole. If convicted, she…
NY Man Sentenced For Role In $12M Ponzi Scheme Targeting Nearly 50 Victims NY Man Sentenced For Role In $12M Ponzi Scheme Targeting Nearly 50 Victims
NY Man Sentenced For Role In $12M Ponzi Scheme Targeting Nearly 50 Victims A New York man was sentenced for his role in a $12 million Ponzi scheme that targeted nearly 50 victims from throughout the region and the nation between 2015 and 2017. Long Island resident Matthew Eckstein, age 52, of Syosset, was sentenced on Monday, July 11 to three-and-a-half to 10-and-a-half years in prison. Eckstein originally pleaded guilty to the charges on September 26, 2019, but later withdrew his plea. A new indictment was secured in August 2020, but court closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic further delayed the case. “This defendant preyed upon seniors and hard-working men…