Tag:

Fraud

$96K Fraud Scheme Lands Harrisburg Office Furniture President Charges: Lower Allen Police $96K Fraud Scheme Lands Harrisburg Office Furniture President Charges: Lower Allen Police
$96K Fraud Scheme Lands Harrisburg Office Furniture President Charges: Lower Allen Police Tracey Michelle Myers, president of Harrisburg Office Furniture, is accused of defrauding four companies out of more than $96,000, Lower Allen Township Police announced on Friday, Feb. 14. Myers, 48, allegedly accepted payments totaling $96,336 from four companies between May 24 and Aug. 15, 2024, but never delivered the ordered furniture, according to police. The businesses filed complaints with Lower Allen Township police, prompting an investigation. During an interview with police, Myers admitted she was facing financial difficulties and used payments from new orders to fulfill old ones,…
2 Court Staffers Tampered With, Stole By Records, Montco DA Says 2 Court Staffers Tampered With, Stole By Records, Montco DA Says
2 Court Staffers Tampered With, Stole By Records, Montco DA Says Two longtime Montgomery County court employees are accused of stealing thousands of dollars in cash payments for traffic and parking violations while altering court records to cover their tracks, prosecutors announced on Wednesday, Feb. 12. Lisa Anne Shopa, 58, of Havertown, and Patricia Althouse, 54, of Ardmore, worked at Magisterial District Court 38-1-07 in Lower Merion Township, where they allegedly manipulated payment records and pocketed fines, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said in a release. The alleged thefts surfaced during an internal review that began in S…
Oh, SNAP! PA Store Owner Busted For $1.8M Food Scam: Feds Oh, SNAP! PA Store Owner Busted For $1.8M Food Scam: Feds
Oh, SNAP! PA Store Owner Busted For $1.8M Food Scam: Feds Looks like crime didn’t pay for one Philly shopkeeper! Jenny Espinal Tejada, 34, is trading her grocery store for a prison cell after she was caught running a nearly $2 million scam on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), prosecutors said. Tejada was sentenced to 18 months behind bars for defrauding the federal food aid program, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced on Wednesday, Feb. 5. The corner store owner got creative—and criminal—by using stolen merchant ID numbers to pretend her business was SNAP-approved, authorities said. But…
Pennsylvania Man Who Stole Dead Classmate’s Identity To Get Passport, Gun Permit Sentenced Pennsylvania Man Who Stole Dead Classmate’s Identity To Get Passport, Gun Permit Sentenced
Pennsylvania Man Who Stole Dead Classmate’s Identity To Get Passport, Gun Permit Sentenced A Philadelphia fraudster who spent decades living under a dead classmate’s identity—scamming his way into a driver’s license, insurance, and even a gun permit—has pleaded guilty, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Friday, Feb. 7. Anthony Percell, 56, admitted in Philadelphia County Court to stealing the identity of a former classmate who died in 1986 and using it to apply for a concealed carry firearms permit, obtain a Pennsylvania driver’s license, and file a fraudulent workers’ compensation claim, authorities said. Now, he’s headed to prison. Under a plea deal, Percel…
PA Resident Duped Out Of $60K In Fraudulent Website Scheme By Texas Woman: Police PA Resident Duped Out Of $60K In Fraudulent Website Scheme By Texas Woman: Police
PA Resident Duped Out Of $60K In Fraudulent Website Scheme By Texas Woman: Police A York resident was scammed out of over $60,000 through a fake business website, and Ayme Galvan, a Texas woman, has been charged in connection with the fraud, York City police announced on Monday, Jan. 27. Ayme Galvan is accused of orchestrating the scheme, which detectives say involved transferring $60,264 from the victim’s account to a series of transactions in Texas. Detective Batten led the investigation after receiving the report of fraud on Nov. 5, 2024, police said. The investigation uncovered a multi-state operation involving ATM and Walmart transactions. Using bank records, survei…
$44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever $44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever
$44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 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 …
$1 Million In Medicaid Fraud, Neglect Hidden By Woman's Falsified Docs: PA AG $1 Million In Medicaid Fraud, Neglect Hidden By Woman's Falsified Docs: PA AG
$1 Million In Medicaid Fraud, Neglect Hidden By Woman's Falsified Docs: PA AG A Berks County woman who owns shared-care homes is accused of defrauding Medicaid of over $1 million and neglecting vulnerable residents under her care, Attorney General Michelle Henry announced on Wednesday, Jan. 16. Tina Bell, 56, Wernesville, the owner and manager of Superior Health, Inc., an Erie County-based home care agency, has been charged with theft by deception, receiving stolen property, Medicaid fraud, tampering with public records, and neglect of a care-dependent person, according to Henry. Bell allegedly misrepresented the qualifications of caregivers and billed Medicaid for s…
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 …
Nearly $15K Stolen From Housing Assistance Program By PA Woman: Chesco DA Nearly $15K Stolen From Housing Assistance Program By PA Woman: Chesco DA
Nearly $15K Stolen From Housing Assistance Program By PA Woman: Chesco DA A Thorndale woman is accused of stealing nearly $15,000 from a Chester County non-profit dedicated to aiding families facing housing insecurity, the District Attorney’s Office announced on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2025. Patricia Ginter, 56, allegedly submitted a fraudulent application to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) in September 2023, intentionally omitting over $60,000 in household income to qualify for COVID-related eviction relief, according to the Chester County Detectives’ criminal complaint. Ginter’s deception resulted in her receiving $14,617 in federal funds meant for strug…
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 …
U.S. Attorney for Middle District of Pennsylvania Announces Resignation U.S. Attorney for Middle District of Pennsylvania Announces Resignation
U.S. Attorney for Middle District of Pennsylvania Announces Resignation Gerard M. Karam, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, has announced his resignation, effective January 10, 2025. Appointed by President Biden in 2022, Karam described the role as "an honor of a lifetime" and expressed gratitude to federal and local law enforcement partners for their dedication to public safety and justice. During his tenure, Karam prioritized public safety, healthcare fraud, civil rights enforcement, and tackling fraud and theft. His office prosecuted numerous high-profile cases, including: A life sentence for a man convicted in the murder …
PA Mom, Sister Jailed For Neglecting Quadriplegic Relative Defrauding Medicaid Of $140K: AG PA Mom, Sister Jailed For Neglecting Quadriplegic Relative Defrauding Medicaid Of $140K: AG
PA Mom, Sister Jailed For Neglecting Quadriplegic Relative Defrauding Medicaid Of $140K: AG A Philadelphia mother and sister who served as caregivers to a quadriplegic man have been sentenced to prison for neglect that left him hospitalized in critical condition, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry announced on Thursday, Dec. 19. Rashina Long, 48, and Jasmine Long, 33, pleaded guilty in September to neglect of a care-dependent person and Medicaid fraud, according to Henry. Both women were sentenced to two to four years in prison, followed by seven years of probation. They are also banned from working as caregivers during their sentences. The Longs were employed as direct …
Husband, Wife Led $20M Medicaid Fraud Ring At Pharmacy: PA AG Husband, Wife Led $20M Medicaid Fraud Ring At Pharmacy: PA AG
Husband, Wife Led $20M Medicaid Fraud Ring At Pharmacy: PA AG A husband and wife are accused of masterminding a $20 million Medicaid and Medicare fraud scheme from their South Philadelphia pharmacy, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry announced on Thursday, Dec. 19. Elizabeth Thompson, 70, the registered owner of Broad Street Family Pharmacy, and her husband, Peter Dello Buono, 70, allegedly ran the scheme alongside pharmacist Frank Bengermino, 70, defrauding federal healthcare programs by faking prescriptions and pocketing the cash, investigators said. From 2016 to 2021, the couple and their co-conspirators allegedly billed Medicaid and Medi…
$12M Medicaid Fraud Scheme By PA Home Health Care Agency Lands 20 People Charges: AG $12M Medicaid Fraud Scheme By PA Home Health Care Agency Lands 20 People Charges: AG
$12M Medicaid Fraud Scheme By PA Home Health Care Agency Lands 20 People Charges: AG The owner of a Bala Cynwyd-based home care agency, her daughter, and 18 others have been charged in a multi-million dollar Medicaid fraud scheme, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry announced on Friday, Dec. 13. Stephanie Mobley, 52, owned ComfortZone Home Health Care, LLC, a Medicaid-approved provider based in Bala Cynwyd. She, her second-in-command daughter, Naya Campbell, 29, of Audubon, and 18 others allegedly defrauded the Medicaid program by filing false reimbursement claims for services never provided, according to court documents. All 20 defendants face charges including …
Felon Mom With ‘Love Yourself First’ Tattoo Sentenced For Drowning 5-Year-Old In Susquehanna Felon Mom With ‘Love Yourself First’ Tattoo Sentenced For Drowning 5-Year-Old In Susquehanna
Felon Mom With ‘Love Yourself First’ Tattoo Sentenced For Drowning 5-Year-Old In Susquehanna A Lancaster County mother has been sentenced after pleading no contest to charges related to the drowning death of her 5-year-old son in the Susquehanna River, authorities confirmed to Daily Voice on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Autumn Lynn Vossler, 31, of Columbia, pleaded Nolo Contendere on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 — the day after her — to involuntary manslaughter and four counts of endangering the welfare of children, according to Susquehanna Regional Police and court records.  For the drowning, Vossler was sentenced to a prison term ranging from nearly five to nine and a half years on Thu…
Trump Taps Dr. Oz, Penn Alum, To Lead Medicare And Medicaid Services Trump Taps Dr. Oz, Penn Alum, To Lead Medicare And Medicaid Services
Trump Taps Dr. Oz, Penn Alum, To Lead Medicare And Medicaid Services President-elect Donald J. Trump has nominated Dr. Mehmet Oz to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), citing the Pennsylvania-educated heart surgeon’s decades-long dedication to healthcare innovation and public advocacy. The announcement came Tuesday, Nov. 19, as Trump highlighted Oz’s qualifications and ties to the Keystone State. Dr. Oz earned both his medical degree and MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Medicine and Wharton Business School, making him an Ivy League-trained physician and business leader. Trump lauded his achievements in a statement, ca…
Trump Names Ex-SEC Chief, PA Native To Replace Damian Williams As SDNY's Top Prosecutor Trump Names Ex-SEC Chief, PA Native To Replace Damian Williams As SDNY's Top Prosecutor
Trump Names Ex-sec Chief, PA Native To Replace Damian Williams As Sdny's Top Prosecutor President-elect Donald Trump is looking to replace Damian Williams, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, with a familiar face from his previous administration who hails from Pennsylvania.  Trump announced on Thursday, Nov. 14 that he would nominate Jay Clayton, who has no experience as a criminal prosecutor, to be the next US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.  Clayton, age 58, previously served as Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission from May 2017 to December 2020, a role in which Trump wrote he "did an incredible job." Before that, he…
$80K+ Theft From Fire Company Social Club  Steward: Swatara Police $80K+ Theft From Fire Company Social Club  Steward: Swatara Police
$80K+ Theft From Fire Company Social Club Steward: Swatara Police A steward of the Friendship Fire Company Social Club has been arrested following an investigation into alleged theft and fraud, Swatara Township Police announced on Thursday, Nov. 7. Tamas Topos, 57, the former steward at the Friendship Fire Company Social Club, is accused of committing multiple acts of theft, financial mismanagement, and fraud. The investigation concluded that Topos allegedly stole approximately $80,940.65 from the Social Club and falsified financial records submitted to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Enforcement office. Topos has been taken into custody and is currently…
Fake Government Contract Fraud Scheme Nets PA Man Prison Time: USDOJ Fake Government Contract Fraud Scheme Nets PA Man Prison Time: USDOJ
Fake Government Contract Fraud Scheme Nets PA Man Prison Time: Usdoj A Philadelphia man is getting prison time after participating in a $622,000 fraud scheme involving fake government contracts, according to authorities. Darren Barr, 39, was sentenced to almost five years in prison after pleading guilty to an organized scheme that defrauded Lucas County Auditor in Ohio on Wednesday, Nov. 6, the US Department of Justice states in a news release. Barr collaborated with unnamed co-conspirators in a plan that had them pretending to be legitimate vendors Lucas County was authorized to do business with, according to the news release. This scheme began in March 201…
Voter Registration Forms Under Investigation In PA Tied To Arizona Company: Authorities Voter Registration Forms Under Investigation In PA Tied To Arizona Company: Authorities
Voter Registration Forms Under Investigation In PA Tied To Arizona Company: Authorities Some suspicious voter registration forms that are under investigation in Pennsylvania have been tied to an Arizona company, authorities said. About 30 irregular forms that were turned over to Monroe County District Attorney Mike Mancuso to investigate turned out to be fraudulent, according to a post on the district attorney's Facebook page.   Posted by Monroe County Office of the District Attorney on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 Several of the voter registration applications and mail ballot request forms were determined to be fraudulent because they weren't authorized by…
Hundreds Of Forged Voter Registration Found In 2.5K Questionable Applications: Lancaster DA Hundreds Of Forged Voter Registration Found In 2.5K Questionable Applications: Lancaster DA
Hundreds Of Forged Voter Registration Found In 2.5K Questionable Applications: Lancaster DA The Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office has found hundreds of fraudulent voter registration applications while continuing to investigate the 2,500 applications dropped off at the county Board of Elections. Election workers initially noticed the irregularities before the applications had been processed and notified the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office, as Daily Voice previously reported. Detectives quickly noticed "fraud indicators" such as "incorrect and non-existent addresses, false personal identification information, as well as false names and incorrect social security…
PA Judge Indicted For 31 Counts Of Fraud, Witness Tampering: USDOJ PA Judge Indicted For 31 Counts Of Fraud, Witness Tampering: USDOJ
PA Judge Indicted For 31 Counts Of Fraud, Witness Tampering: Usdoj A federal grand jury has indicted a Pennsylvania judge and lawyer on 31-counts of wire and mail fraud, as well as witness tampering and obstruction of justice, the US Department of Justice announced on Tuesday, Oct. 8.  Steven Stambaugh, age 61, of York, has been charged with twenty-six counts of wire fraud, two counts of mail fraud, two counts of tampering with a witness, and one count of obstruction of justice for a COVID-19 scheme, according to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam explained.  Stambaugh is accused of defrauding the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania "to ob…
NJ, NY Stolen Cars Shipped Overseas From PA Chop Shop: DA NJ, NY Stolen Cars Shipped Overseas From PA Chop Shop: DA
NJ, NY Stolen Cars Shipped Overseas From PA Chop Shop: DA Stacks of car parts being shipped to the Dominican Republic from a Chop Shop has lead to six arrest, the Buck County District Attorney's Office announced on Monday, Oct. 7.  A Pennsylvania State Police investigation lead to the dismantling of a Milford Township chop shop run out of a garage located at 2150 Rosedale Road, as detailed in the release.  Hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen parts were sold and shipped to the Dominican Republic from the shop, according to the release. The following men were charged in connection to the illegal sale of the stole car parts fro…
Police FINALLY Remove Skimmer Redditors Warned About At PA Sheetz PNC ATM Police FINALLY Remove Skimmer Redditors Warned About At PA Sheetz PNC ATM
Police Finally Remove Skimmer Redditors Warned About At PA Sheetz PNC ATM A skimmer at Sheetz that Redditors warned people about three months ago was removed on Thursday, Sept. 12, police announced.   The skimmer was found on the PNC ATM at the Sheetz located at 1205 Lancaster Road in Manheim, police explained.  "If you used the ATM machine located inside the store over the past month, please review your bank transactions and report any fraudulent or suspicious activity to your bank and local police department," the police said.  Redditor users in the Lancaster subreddit have been posting about this since June.  The first post reads: "…
$100K+ Allegedly Stolen By Former PA Attorney General Director $100K+ Allegedly Stolen By Former PA Attorney General Director
$100K+ Allegedly Stolen By Former PA Attorney General Director A McKeesport Area School District police chief, Director of the Community Violence Fund program for the McKeesport Chapter of the NAACP, and Regional Director of the PA Office of Attorney General’s Region 5 Bureau of Narcotics Investigation is accused of stealing over $100,000 drug forfeiture money and numerous over monetary thefts, the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office announced on Thursday night, Sept. 5.  Brenda D. Sawyer, 61, of North Versailles, was arrested on the following charges on Sept. 5 for her alleged crimes of taking the money which went missing from…
Caretaker Accused Of Stealing Up To $200K From Patient For Drugs In Lancaster County Caretaker Accused Of Stealing Up To $200K From Patient For Drugs In Lancaster County
Caretaker Accused Of Stealing Up To $200K From Patient For Drugs In Lancaster County A Lancaster County caretaker is accused of stealing prescription drugs and up to $200,000 from a patient she cared for, authorities said. Jamie Lynn Lloyd, 42, of Lilitz was charged with Dealing in Proceeds of Unlawful Activities, Identity Theft, Financial Exploitation of an Older Adult or Care-dependent Person, Theft by Deception, Criminal Use of Communication Facility, Access Device Fraud, Unlawful Use of Computer and Other Computer Crimes Arrest, according to Manheim Township police. In the spring of 2023, Lloyd began voluntarily helping the victim, including taking them to appointm…
Western PA Man Convicted For Fake 'Kidnapping For Drugs' Plot: DA Western PA Man Convicted For Fake 'Kidnapping For Drugs' Plot: DA
Western PA Man Convicted For Fake 'Kidnapping For Drugs' Plot: DA A McKean County man was convicted on Friday, Aug. 23 in a fake "kidnapping for drugs" plot, authorities said. Tuesday Hale, formerly of Bradford, was found guilty of crimes related to the staged kidnapping in August 2023, according to District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer. The conviction followed a two-day jury trial at the McKean County Courthouse, she said. Hale was charged after the City of Bradford Police received a report from a Bradford man who had received messages – including a staged picture – from his girlfriend’s cell phone stating that his girlfriend had been kidn…
Mom Steals $10K+ From PTO, East Pennsboro Police Allege Mom Steals $10K+ From PTO, East Pennsboro Police Allege
Mom Steals $10K+ From PTO, East Pennsboro Police Allege An Enola mom is accused of taking over $10,000 from a Parent Teacher Organization, East Pennsboro police announced on Thursday, Aug. 8.  Melissa Anne Robinson, 42, was identified as the suspected thief following an investigation that began at 10:36 a.m. on October 9, 2023, as detailed in the police release.  That morning, officers with the East Pennsboro police were called to meet with the East Pennsboro School District PTO about the over $10,000 stolen from the organization. Robinson so came to light as a suspect and allegedly admitted to making the withdrawals for the PTO's acc…
$1.5M Con: Ex-Employee Admits Defrauding CT Insurance Company $1.5M Con: Ex-Employee Admits Defrauding CT Insurance Company
$1.5M Con: Ex-Employee Admits Defrauding CT Insurance Company A former employee from Pennsylvania admitted to defrauding a Connecticut insurance company to the tune of $1.5 million. James Keating, age 52, of Paoli, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in New Haven federal court on Tuesday, July 30. Prosecutors said Keating – who served as assistant vice president and a surety bond claims handler at Hartford County-based Allied World Insurance Company in Farmington – created a shell company to bill Allied World for unnecessary claims work that was never performed. Between 2017 and 2021, he also solicited and received kickbacks from Allied World…
$17K Scam Run By Lebanon Blackjack Dealer At Hollywood Casino: Affidavit $17K Scam Run By Lebanon Blackjack Dealer At Hollywood Casino: Affidavit
$17K Scam Run By Lebanon Blackjack Dealer At Hollywood Casino: Affidavit A blackjack dealer used multiple tricks and sleights of hand to help two friends make nearly $17,000 at a popular casino, Pennsylvania State Police detailed in court documents obtained by Daily Voice on Friday, July 19.  Yadav Bhandari, 22 of Lebanon, is accused of conspiring with Shankar Karki, 37, and Prakash Thapa, 24, both of Harrisburg to steal $16,555 in fraudulent winnings between July 13 and 14, State Police Trooper Michael Kaminskas detailed in the affidavit of probable cause.  Bhandari was caught on the security camera using "sleight of hand motions, capping, improp…
$35K Stolen By Dentist's Employee, Gettysburg Police Say $35K Stolen By Dentist's Employee, Gettysburg Police Say
$35K Stolen By Dentist's Employee, Gettysburg Police Say A family dentistry employee stole approximately $35,000, Gettysburg Borough of Police announced on Wednesday, July 17.  Rebecca Ann Chapman, 57 of Gettysburg, was working at Brent Guise Family Dentistry on Feb. 20, 2024, when police were to the office at 150 Chambersburg Street for a "reported theft from the business by an employee," police stated in the release. An investigation led by Detective Brian Weikert determined that Chapman had stolen thousands from the "business over an extended period of time," according to the release.  Chapman has been charged with 12 felonies for t…