Scammers Stole Taylor Swift Eras Tour Tickets In $600K+ NY-Based Scheme, Prosecutors Say Scammers Stole Taylor Swift Eras Tour Tickets In $600K+ NY-Based Scheme, Prosecutors Say
Scammers Stole Taylor Swift Eras Tour Tickets In $600K+ Ny-based Scheme, Prosecutors Say Taylor Swift fans are hoping "Karma" comes to whoever scammed them out of expensive tickets to The Eras Tour. Two people were accused of stealing nearly 1,000 tickets to high-demand events, including the popstar's record-breaking concert tour. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced arrests in the case in a news release on Monday, Mar. 3. Tyrone Rose, 20, of Kingston, Jamaica, and Shamara Simmons, 31, of Queens, NY, were facing charges including grand larceny, conspiracy, and computer tampering.  "These defendants tried to use the popularity of Taylor Swift…
Contractor 'Thief With No Conscience' Skips Out On Sentencing After $84K Con Job In Region Contractor 'Thief With No Conscience' Skips Out On Sentencing After $84K Con Job In Region
Contractor 'Thief With No Conscience' Skips Out On Sentencing After $84K Con Job In Region A man who confessed to posing as a contractor in order to con a Capital Region homeowner out of over $80,000 failed to show up for his sentencing. Chad Nichols, 47, was sentenced to between four and 14 years in prison despite not showing up to Albany County Court on Thursday, Feb. 13, according to the DA’s office. Judge Thomas Marcelle issued a bench warrant for his arrest. It came after Nichols pleaded guilty to grand larceny and criminal impersonation for defrauding a Guilderland homeowner, wiping out her life savings. Nichols was hired by the victim in the spring of 2023 to complete sev…
NY's Top Prosecutor Resigns After Orders To Drop Charges Against NYC Mayor Adams: Reports NY's Top Prosecutor Resigns After Orders To Drop Charges Against NYC Mayor Adams: Reports
NY's Top Prosecutor Resigns After Orders To Drop Charges Against NYC Mayor Adams: Reports Following orders to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Danielle Sassoon has decided to resign, according to reports.  Sassoon, who took the position in January following the resignation of Damian Williams, announced her resignation in a short statement to her colleagues, NBC News and The New York Times reported on Thursday, Feb. 13.  According to NBC, Sassoon, who resigned alongside two senior federal prosecutors in Washington, made the decision only three days after receiving a me…
State Workers Steal Debit Card Info From Disabled Residents In Capital Region, Police Say State Workers Steal Debit Card Info From Disabled Residents In Capital Region, Police Say
State Workers Steal Debit Card Info From Disabled Residents In Capital Region, Police Say Three New York State employees are accused of stealing money from developmentally disabled residents in the Capital Region. The women, all employees at the Capital District Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO) in Clifton Park, were arrested on suspicion of fraud and larceny-related charges following an investigation by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday, Jan. 26. Officials identified the defendants as: Lashea Pettway, 30, of Schenectady Jessie Gabriel, 34, of Schenectady Christin McGrath, 45, of Selkirk An investigation found that all three women stole debit card …
$44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 NYers Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever $44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 NYers Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever
$44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 NYers Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever Seven New Yorkers have been charged in a sweeping tax fraud scheme, accused of exploiting pandemic relief programs to steal over $44 million, federal prosecutors announced. The indictment by the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, unsealed Wednesday, Jan. 22, alleges that the defendants filed over 8,000 fraudulent tax returns, seeking more than $600 million in COVID-19 relief funds through the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and related programs. Investigators determined the group successfully secured $44 million from the federal government. Defendants Long Island …
American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers
American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers American Express said it will pay $230 million to resolve federal investigations into deceptive sales tactics and recordkeeping violations involving small business credit card and wire transfer products. The credit card company agreed to pay a $108.7 million civil penalty, the Department of Justice said in a news release on Thursday, Jan. 16. The settlement resolved claims against American Express of deceptive marketing and "dummy" account information. American Express was accused of engaging in unlawful sales tactics and falsifying records between 2014 and 2021. "When financial companies …
Don't Fall For It: New Twist On Imposter Fraud Targets Your Money, Personal Info Don't Fall For It: New Twist On Imposter Fraud Targets Your Money, Personal Info
Don't Fall For It: New Twist On Imposter Fraud Targets Your Money, Personal Info The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is sounding the alarm on a sophisticated new imposter scheme designed to steal your money and personal information.  These scams are becoming increasingly convincing, but learning to spot the red flags can help you stay protected. How the Scam Works Initial Contact: Scammers pose as representatives from well-known companies, such as Amazon or a tech support service. They’ll claim there’s a routine issue, like suspicious charges on your account, a computer virus, or an account breach. Escalation: The scammers lie, saying your name is tied to serious …
Joseph Nocella Named United States Attorney For Eastern District Of New York Joseph Nocella Named United States Attorney For Eastern District Of New York
Joseph Nocella Named United States Attorney For Eastern District Of New York Joseph Nocella, Jr., a veteran prosecutor and judge with an extensive legal background, has been named the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, according to a statement from former President Donald J. Trump. “Judge Nocella has a strong record of bringing Law and Order to the incredible people of New York,” Trump said in the announcement. “Congratulations, Judge Nocella!” Nocella served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District from 1991 to 1995, prosecuting cases involving racketeering, extortion, and fraud. His work earned recognition from the FBI direc…
Troy Man Nabbed On Multiple Fraudulent Check Warrants Troy Man Nabbed On Multiple Fraudulent Check Warrants
Troy Man Nabbed On Multiple Fraudulent Check Warrants New York State Police nabbed a Capital Region man wanted on numerous warrants for allegedly cashing fraudulent checks worth more than $4,000. Terrance M. Lee, 35, of Troy in Rensselaer County, was charged on Monday, Dec. 9, with four counts of possession of a forged instrument, two counts of grand larceny, and two counts of petit larceny. According to Trooper Stephanie O'Neil, the arrest resolves four open investigations into Lee. On Saturday, Sept. 14, Lee allegedly possessed fraudulent checks and deposited them in Albany and Rensselaer counties. His reported crimes resulted in the theft o…
$4.4M Medicaid Fraud Scheme: Five Plead Guilty, NY AG Says $4.4M Medicaid Fraud Scheme: Five Plead Guilty, NY AG Says
$4.4M Medicaid Fraud Scheme: Five Plead Guilty, NY AG Says Five Hudson Valley and Capital Region residents and seven transportation companies have admitted to stealing millions from Medicaid. New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Thursday, Dec. 5, that five have pleaded guilty to stealing more than $4.4 million from New York’s Medicaid program through fake billing, illegal kickbacks, and engaging in money laundering and other fraudulent schemes to conceal their crimes.  Muhammad Rizwan Khan, 38, Muhammad Usman Khan, 40, and Farhan Khan, 29, all of Orange County, and their related companies pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Dec. 4, in Or…
Manhattan's Top Federal Prosecutor To Resign Before Trump Presidency Manhattan's Top Federal Prosecutor To Resign Before Trump Presidency
Manhattan's Top Federal Prosecutor To Resign Before Trump Presidency US Attorney Damian Williams, who has overseen high-profile cases in the Southern District of New York, has announced his resignation, a move that comes ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term and the expected nomination of his successor.  Williams’ resignation will take effect at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, according to a statement from his office on Monday, Nov. 25.  The resignation comes as President-elect Trump has announced plans to nominate Jay Clayton, a former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman under Trump’s first administration, to lead the of…
Woman Nabbed In $8K Fraudulent Check Case At Credit Union In Region: Police Woman Nabbed In $8K Fraudulent Check Case At Credit Union In Region: Police
Woman Nabbed In $8K Fraudulent Check Case At Credit Union In Region: Police A 20-year-old woman has been charged with two felonies after cashing a fraudulent check worth over $8,000 at a credit union in the region, authorities said.  The investigation began in Putnam County on Friday, Nov. 15, when a deputy took a complaint from an investigator with the Hudson Valley Credit Union about a fraudulent check cashed at the Mahopac branch in Putnam County, according to the Sheriff’s Office. A Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) investigator reviewed surveillance footage and other evidence, which quickly led to authorities identifying Xiomara Ortiz, a 20-year-old …