Tag:

Financial Fraud

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…
'Human Piece Of Garbage' Scams Woman Out Of $2K In Northern Westchester, Police Say 'Human Piece Of Garbage' Scams Woman Out Of $2K In Northern Westchester, Police Say
'Human Piece Of Garbage' Scams Woman Out Of $2K In Northern Westchester, Police Say Although a woman from Northern Westchester unfortunately lost $2,000 to a scammer, it could have been much worse, police said. It all started when a woman from Yorktown was contacted by a "human piece of garbage" who claimed to be tech support from Google or Microsoft, and told the victim that he needed to access her email and bank accounts to prevent a virus from compromising them, Yorktown Police said in a post on Wednesday, Dec. 14.  As part of the ruse, the victim purchased close to $2,000 in gift cards on three separate days and then sent scanned pictures of these cards to the sca…
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…
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…
Court Rules That Trump, Ivanka, Don Jr. Must Testify About Their Business Practices Court Rules That Trump, Ivanka, Don Jr. Must Testify About Their Business Practices
Court Rules That Trump, Ivanka, Don Jr. Must Testify About Their Business Practices Former President Donald Trump and his two eldest children have been ordered to testify as New York Attorney General Letitia James continues her years-long probe into his company’s business dealings. On Thursday, Feb. 17, James announced that she had won a major victory in her office’s civil investigation into the former president and the Trump Organization’s business practices. Earlier story - NY AG Files Motion To Block Trump Lawsuit Interfering With Her Investigation New York State Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron ruled that Trump, Ivanka Trump, and Donald Trump, Jr. must all appear fo…
Don't Let Them Break Your Heart: FBI Issues Alert For Romance Scams Don't Let Them Break Your Heart: FBI Issues Alert For Romance Scams
Don't Let Them Break Your Heart: FBI Issues Alert For Romance Scams While Valentine's Day is a time for romantic gestures, the FBI has issued an alert to the public about romance scams.  The agency said in an alert on Monday, Feb. 14, that the scams take place when a criminal adopts a fake identity online to get the victim's trust and uses the close relationship to manipulate and/or steal from the victim. "The criminals who carry out romance scams are experts at what they do and will seem genuine, caring, and believable," the FBI said. "Con artists are present on most dating and social media sites." The FBI said eventually the scammer will ask the vic…
Ivanka Trump, Don Jr. Subpoenaed In NY AG Probe Ivanka Trump, Don Jr. Subpoenaed In NY AG Probe
Ivanka Trump, Don Jr. Subpoenaed In NY AG Probe Former President Donald Trump’s two eldest children have been the latest to be subpoenaed by the New York Attorney General’s Office as it investigates the family’s business practices. On Monday, Jan. 3 news leaked that Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump, Jr. have been subpoenaed by New York Attorney General Letitia James as she continues her yearslong investigation into the Trump Organization. The AG's office previously subpoenaed Donald Trump for testimony and set a deadline of Friday, Jan. 7, though the former president's lawyers have said they would move to block the action. Eric Trump, an …
'High Probability' Human Remains Found Are Brian Laundrie's, Family Attorney Tells Daily Voice 'High Probability' Human Remains Found Are Brian Laundrie's, Family Attorney Tells Daily Voice
'High Probability' Human Remains Found Are Brian Laundrie's, Family Attorney Tells Daily Voice Updated story: Remains Found At Florida Reserve Identified As Brian Laundrie, FBI Says The attorney for Brain Laundrie's family says there is a high probability the remains found in a Florida nature reserve are those of their son. Steven Bertolino told Daily Voice on Thursday, Oct. 21, that "the probability was high, that it is Brian's remains" found by the FBI. On Wednesday, Oct. 20, law enforcement authorities in Florida, including the FBI and the North Port Police, found a backpack and a notebook they believe belong to Laundrie, age 23, near the suspected remains while they were search…
Westchester Investment Adviser Charged With Stealing $700K From Church Members Westchester Investment Adviser Charged With Stealing $700K From Church Members
Westchester Investment Adviser Charged With Stealing $700K From Church Members A financial adviser from Westchester is facing charges for allegedly defrauding members of a religious group he belongs to out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced. This week, the SEC announced it is charging Evarist Amah, of New Rochelle, for his role in a years-long scheme to defraud members of the Grail Movement while operating the financial firm EAC Capital, which dissolved last summer. According to the complaint, between April 2016 and July 2019, Amah, while working out of EAC Capital in New Rochelle, allegedly schemed to raise ap…
Disbarred Northern Westchester Attorney Sentenced For Stealing $1M From 9/11 Victim Funds Disbarred Northern Westchester Attorney Sentenced For Stealing $1M From 9/11 Victim Funds
Disbarred Northern Westchester Attorney Sentenced For Stealing $1M From 9/11 Victim Funds A disbarred attorney from Northern Westchester will spend time behind bars after he admitted to stealing approximately $1 million that was rewarded to one of his clients from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. Yorktown Heights resident Gustavo Vila has been sentenced to 51 months in prison after pleading guilty in White Plains Federal Court for stealing from his client, who was a first responder who suffered life-threatening medical conditions while cleaning up the crash site at Ground Zero. The Victim Compensation Fund was created in the wake of the terror attack to provide government fund…
Property Manager Accused Of Stealing $480,000 From Community In Area Property Manager Accused Of Stealing $480,000 From Community In Area
Property Manager Accused Of Stealing $480,000 From Community In Area A property manager has been accused of stealing nearly half a million dollars from a co-op community in the area. In June of 2020, State Police in Dutchess County received a complaint from a Hyde Park co-op community alleging that their property manager, operating under JDWAH, Inc., had been stealing from them since 2015. With the assistance of the State Police Financial Crimes Unit, an audit revealed that 51-year-old Joy C. Funk, of Poughkeepsie, stole over $480,000 from the community prior to her termination in May of 2020, state police said. On Monday, March 22, state police from the P…
Scammers Posing As PayPal, Amazon Employees, Dutchess County Sheriff Says Scammers Posing As PayPal, Amazon Employees, Dutchess County Sheriff Says
Scammers Posing As PayPal, Amazon Employees, Dutchess County Sheriff Says Scammers have been impersonating PayPal and Amazon employees and calling area victims, asking them to transfer money, purchase merchandise, or to provide banking information, passwords and personal information, according to the Dutchess County Sheriff's Department.  They offered the following suggestions to avoid falling prey to scam artists: If you are contacted by anyone that you don't know asking you for money, it is probably a scam.  Exercise caution and restraint when asked by callers to purchase items, transfer money, relay banking information or enter any kind of code—it i…
Discovery Of Body In Hudson Valley May Be Linked To Shooting Involving Family Of Federal Judge Discovery Of Body In Hudson Valley May Be Linked To Shooting Involving Family Of Federal Judge
Discovery Of Body In Hudson Valley May Be Linked To Shooting Involving Family Of Federal Judge Click here for an updated story: ID Released For Man Found Dead In Sullivan County After Allegedly Killing Federal Judge's Son A body found in the Hudson Valley may be linked to the shooting death of the son and wounding of the husband of a federal judge just assigned to a financial fraud case tied to the late convicted sex offender billionaire Jeffrey Epstein and the wounding of her husband, according to a new report. The fatal gunshot wound victim was discovered on a roadway in the Sullivan County town of Rockland on Monday morning, July 20. A town employee reportedly made the d…
Son Of Federal Judge Assigned Case Linked To Jeffrey Epstein Slain, Husband Critical In Attack Son Of Federal Judge Assigned Case Linked To Jeffrey Epstein Slain, Husband Critical In Attack
Son Of Federal Judge Assigned Case Linked To Jeffrey Epstein Slain, Husband Critical In Attack Click here for an updated story: Body Found In Sullivan County May Be Linked To Shooting Involving Judge The son of a federal judge just assigned to a financial fraud case tied to the late convicted sex offender billionaire Jeffrey Epstein was killed and her husband critically injured after both were shot by a gunman dressed as a FedEx deliveryman at their New Jersey home, according to authorities. Daniel Anderl, 20, was shot immediately after the door to the house in North Brunswick Township was opened around 5 p.m. Sunday, July 19, reports said. Judge Esther Salas' hus…
COVID-19: Alert Issued For Contact Tracer Scam COVID-19: Alert Issued For Contact Tracer Scam
Covid-19: Alert Issued For Contact Tracer Scam Fraudsters posing as contact tracers have been exploiting the COVID-19 crisis to ascertain personal information from residents in the region. Multiple reports of scammers posing as COVID-19 contact tracers have been reported since the pandemic began, prompting officials to issue an alert and provide guidance on how to avoid becoming a victim. Officials said that the imposters claim to work on behalf of local law enforcement or health departments and are required to install contact tracing software onto their victims’ computers. The scammers have threatened fines, asked for personal financi…
Police: Couple Working As Caretakers Accused Of Stealing More Than $50K From Rhinebeck Victims Police: Couple Working As Caretakers Accused Of Stealing More Than $50K From Rhinebeck Victims
Police: Couple Working As Caretakers Accused Of Stealing More Than $50K From Rhinebeck Victims A couple working as caretakers has been charged after police say they stole more than $50,000 from victims in Rhinebeck. New York State Police say that Shelby Blanchard, 32, and Alan Blanchard, 35, both of Red Hook, were allegedly employed by the victims in a caretaking capacity and used their positions to gain access to their personal and financial accounts. Over the course of two years, the Blanchards stole more than $50,000 using bank/credit cards, personal checks and ATM withdrawals from the victims’ accounts, according to police. New York State Police from the Rhinebeck barracks arres…
Westchester Man Sentenced For Swindling Women Out Of More Than $160K Westchester Man Sentenced For Swindling Women Out Of More Than $160K
Westchester Man Sentenced For Swindling Women Out Of More Than $160K A Westchester man has been sentenced after admitting to swindling a pair of women out of more than $160,000. White Plains resident Eric Jackier, 48, has been placed on two terms of five years’ probation - which will run concurrently - after pleading guilty to separate grand larceny charges for stealing money from his unsuspecting victims who believed he was helping their finances. In White Plains, Jackier admitted to stealing $16,475 from a local woman that was earmarked to set up a charity. Instead, Jackier used the money for his own interests between May 15, 2015 and Aug. 20 that year and…
Don't Fall For Them: Alert Issued For These Scams Don't Fall For Them: Alert Issued For These Scams
Don't Fall For Them: Alert Issued For These Scams Residents in the area are being warned about scams that seem to be on the increase. The scams provide ways for criminals will attempt to get money from people by contacting them and making up elaborate stories, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office said in the warning to residents of Dutchess and nearby counties in New York and Connecticut. In some cases the perpetrators have tried, sometimes successfully, to use the victim’s emotions about a loved one in trouble to get money.  It’s common for the perpetrators of these scams to try to get money by telling people that one of their …
FBI Issues Valentine's Day Romance Scam Warning After Woman Bilked Out Of $2M FBI Issues Valentine's Day Romance Scam Warning After Woman Bilked Out Of $2M
FBI Issues Valentine's Day Romance Scam Warning After Woman Bilked Out Of $2M With love in the air on Valentine’s Day, the FBI is warning that if an online courtship seems too good to be true, it just might be. Citing an incident when a woman in her 50s was bilked out of $2 million, the FBI issued an alert on Thursday regarding romance scams, which is an Internet crime that is on the rise. 
The FBI said that “victims - predominantly older, widowed or divorced women targeted by criminal groups usually from Nigeria - are, for the most part, computer literate and educated. But they are also emotionally vulnerable. And con artists know exactly how to exploit that vulnera…
Former Westchester Doctor Indicted For Stealing $500K From Elderly Woman Former Westchester Doctor Indicted For Stealing $500K From Elderly Woman
Former Westchester Doctor Indicted For Stealing $500K From Elderly Woman A former physician in Westchester has been arraigned on an 11-count indictment claiming that he stole more than a half million dollars from an elderly woman in Yonkers. Eastchester resident Peter Corines, 69, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to an 11-count indictment that alleges he stole $540,106.60 from a 98-year-old woman during a two week period, claiming to have power of attorney, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr., announced. According to the indictment, during a two-week period in November last year, Corines stole from Bernice Judd Porter by fraudulently claiming…
20 Passport Applications Missing From Post Office In Hudson Valley 20 Passport Applications Missing From Post Office In Hudson Valley
20 Passport Applications Missing From Post Office In Hudson Valley Another Hudson Valley post office is facing questions after 20 passport applications were lost in Rockland County, leading to a cacophony of angry voices seeking answers. Lawmakers are demanding that the United States Postal Service “explain and remedy” the causes of the loss of the 20 applications in Tappan, which has since been confirmed by the USPS. The missing passport applications is just the latest incident to plague the USPS in the Hudson Valley. Several alleged mail thieves were recently arrested in Bronxville, and a pair were caught on camera in Yonkers stealing from USPS mailboxes…
Mail Stolen From Lobby Of Post Office In Westchester Mail Stolen From Lobby Of Post Office In Westchester
Mail Stolen From Lobby Of Post Office In Westchester Thieves targeting the United States Postal Service mailboxes on streets in Westchester are becoming bolder, this time targeting a post office itself. In a statement, the Bronxville Police Department reported that it is investigating a series of mail thefts in the village, including items that were deposited in the mail slot at the lobby of the post office on Pondfield Road. The stolen mail in Bronxville comes on the heels of multiple incidents of stolen mail - captured on video - in Yonkers, New Rochelle, Greenburgh and other Westchester municipalities. The latest string of stolen mail com…
Officials Call For Action To End Mail Thefts In Westchester Officials Call For Action To End Mail Thefts In Westchester
Officials Call For Action To End Mail Thefts In Westchester In the wake of several instances involving stolen mail in the area, elected officials in the area are calling on the United States Postal Service to address the incidents. Officials including Rep. Nita Lowey, Sen. Chuck Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep. Eliot Engel and Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney sent a letter on Tuesday to United States Postmaster General Megan Brennan calling for the Postal Service to address theft of mail across the region. In the letter, the officials highlighted incidents of stolen mail that resulted in financial fraud and identity theft in the Hudson Valley. “From …