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Identity theft

Millions Stolen In Bank Scam Run By Pennsylvania Fraud Ring: AG (UPDATE) Millions Stolen In Bank Scam Run By Pennsylvania Fraud Ring: AG (UPDATE)
Millions Stolen In Bank Scam Run By Pennsylvania Fraud Ring: AG (Update) A central Pennsylvania fraud scheme that drained millions from unsuspecting bank customers has led to prison time for its ringleader, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Wednesday, March 18. Jeremy Antuan Boria Fraticelli, 23, of Dover, pleaded guilty in January after orchestrating the operation that targeted victims in Cumberland, Dauphin, and York counties, according to the AG’s office. Fraticelli posed as a bank employee along with his co-conspirators, tricking customers into handing over personal banking information. The group then used that data to access accounts, move money int…
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…
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…
10K+ Fake Xanax Sold In Mail Scheme, Dealer Caught With Cocaine: PA Attorney General 10K+ Fake Xanax Sold In Mail Scheme, Dealer Caught With Cocaine: PA Attorney General
10K+ Fake Xanax Sold In Mail Scheme, Dealer Caught With Cocaine: PA Attorney General A Pennsylvania man has been sentenced to state prison for running a mail-order scheme that sold fake Xanax pills, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Tuesday, Sept. 9. Charles Dewayne Myers, 28, of Montgomery County, received up to four years in prison during a hearing on Thursday, Sept. 4, according to the Office of the Attorney General. He was convicted of cocaine possession and of representing non-controlled substances as controlled substances. Myers was immediately taken into custody. He will also serve five years of probation for identity theft, authorities said. “These syn…
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 …
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…
PA Corrections Officer Had Sex With Inmates, Ran ID Fraud Scheme, Attorney General Says PA Corrections Officer Had Sex With Inmates, Ran ID Fraud Scheme, Attorney General Says
PA Corrections Officer Had Sex With Inmates, Ran ID Fraud Scheme, Attorney General Says A former Pennsylvania state prison corrections officer had sexual relationships with inmates and ran a financial fraud scheme using their personal information, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Wednesday, Aug. 6. Kristina Miller, 35, of McKean County, is facing multiple felonies for institutional sexual assault and unlawful use of a computer. She’s also charged with several misdemeanors for conspiracy to commit identity theft and conspiracy to commit theft by deception, state police say. Miller allegedly engaged in sexual relationships with three inmates while working at SCI Forest …
Nurse Impersonator With 20 Fake Names Stole Meds Across Multiple States: PA State Police Nurse Impersonator With 20 Fake Names Stole Meds Across Multiple States: PA State Police
Nurse Impersonator With 20 Fake Names Stole Meds Across Multiple States: PA State Police 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 For BMW, Aruba Trip: DA NYPD Officer Steals $87K From Elderly Bank Clients For BMW, Aruba Trip: DA
Nypd Officer Steals $87K From Elderly Bank Clients 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.…
$1.1M Medicaid Fraud Scheme: PA Woman Forged Doctor Signatures, Took Kickbacks, DOJ Says $1.1M Medicaid Fraud Scheme: PA Woman Forged Doctor Signatures, Took Kickbacks, DOJ Says
$1.1M Medicaid Fraud Scheme: PA Woman Forged Doctor Signatures, Took Kickbacks, DOJ Says 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 …
Manager Created Fake IHOP Employee, Stole $12K In Ghost Paychecks: PA State Police Manager Created Fake IHOP Employee, Stole $12K In Ghost Paychecks: PA State Police
Manager Created Fake IHOP Employee, Stole $12K In Ghost Paychecks: PA State Police A Pennsylvania IHOP manager created a fake employee — and paid them thousands of dollars, pocketing the cash himself, state police said in a bombshell report released Tuesday, July 1. Aldo Maya Garcia, 45, wasn’t just inflating hours or fudging a timesheet — he allegedly invented entire fake identities, logged dozens of bogus shifts, and deposited 21 fraudulent checks worth $12,804 directly into his own accounts while managing the Route 30 IHOP in Hempfield Township, according to Pennsylvania State Police. The wild scheme unraveled last August when the restaurant’s regional director noticed…
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 …
PA Bookkeeper Stole $822K From Law Firm In NJ In 6-Year Remote Embezzlement PA Bookkeeper Stole $822K From Law Firm In NJ In 6-Year Remote Embezzlement
PA Bookkeeper Stole $822K From Law Firm In NJ In 6-Year Remote Embezzlement She worked remotely from Pennsylvania — and secretly funneled hundreds of thousands from her New Jersey law firm. Now, the 66-year-old bookkeeper is going to jail for a years-long financial betrayal. A former bookkeeper who siphoned more than $800,000 from a Bucks County-based law firm with operations in New Jersey has been sentenced to county jail, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office announced on Friday, June 27. Reese Esther Paul, 66, of Holland in Northampton Township, was handed a sentence of one year less a day to two years less a day in the Bucks County Correctional Facility, …
Inmate Ran $500K Chop Shop Scheme Involving Fake IDs: PAAG Inmate Ran $500K Chop Shop Scheme Involving Fake IDs: PAAG
Inmate Ran $500K Chop Shop Scheme Involving Fake IDs: Paag A massive car fraud and identity theft ring operating out of Lebanon County has been dismantled, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Fifteen people and two auto businesses are facing sweeping charges after a grand jury uncovered a web of criminal activity involving stolen rental cars, forged documents, illegal vehicle inspections, and title-washing schemes, according to the Office of Attorney General and Pennsylvania State Police. The operation centered around Angel Vidal’s alleged chop shop at his Lebanon home and the El Fuerte Auto Sales and El …
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 Multi-State Fraud Scheme With 1K+ Stolen IDs Lands Pennsylvania Man Federal Charges: DOJ $5.6M Multi-State Fraud Scheme With 1K+ Stolen IDs Lands Pennsylvania Man Federal Charges: DOJ
$5.6M Multi-State Fraud Scheme With 1K+ Stolen IDs Lands Pennsylvania Man Federal Charges: DOJ 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…
$23.5K Immigration Scam Busted: PA Woman Accused Of Duping Local Family $23.5K Immigration Scam Busted: PA Woman Accused Of Duping Local Family
$23.5K Immigration Scam Busted: PA Woman Accused Of Duping Local Family A Harrisburg woman pocketed $23,500 from a man trying to bring his family from Vietnam to the U.S.—then vanished, Swatara Township police detailed in court documents obtained by Daily Voice on Thursday, June 5. Gracie Deguia-Reed, 54, is accused of orchestrating an immigration sponsorship scheme that unraveled over five months. The victim told police he made several cash payments—$7,500, two installments of $3,000, and a final $10,000—in hopes of helping six relatives emigrate to the U.S. Text messages and hand-written receipts provided by the victim show Deguia-Reed claimed she could spons…
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 …
Man Faked Landlord Role To Steal $14K From Opioid Housing Program: Berks DA Man Faked Landlord Role To Steal $14K From Opioid Housing Program: Berks DA
Man Faked Landlord Role To Steal $14K From Opioid Housing Program: Berks DA A Kutztown man posed as a landlord to steal thousands of dollars meant to help recovering addicts get housing, Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams announced on Thursday, May 22. Kody A. Kirkland, 32, forged documents, faked pay stubs, and filed phony applications to cash in on the State Opioid Response (SOR) Rental Assistance Program, according to county detectives. The taxpayer-funded program, managed by the Treatment Access and Services Center, Inc. (TASC), was created to help people struggling with addiction keep a roof over their heads. Instead, investigators say Kirkland turne…
Employee Steals $12K+ From Coworkers At PA Retirement Home: Police Employee Steals $12K+ From Coworkers At PA Retirement Home: Police
Employee Steals $12K+ From Coworkers At PA Retirement Home: Police A Chester County woman is accused of stealing her coworkers’ credit card information while working at a retirement home, using it to make more than $12,000 in purchases, Oxford police announced in a release on Wednesday, May 21. Faith Curry, 23, of Peach Bottom, was removed from Ware Presbyterian Village on Friday, March 7, after management reported she had been stealing from fellow employees. The facility is located at 7 East Locust Street in Oxford, police said. Investigators say Curry entered breakrooms alone and accessed her coworkers’ personal belongings, stealing credit card details. …
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…
Agent Faked 332 Life Insurance Policies, Laundered $600K In Commissions: PA AG Agent Faked 332 Life Insurance Policies, Laundered $600K In Commissions: PA AG
Agent Faked 332 Life Insurance Policies, Laundered $600K In Commissions: PA AG A Montgomery County life insurance agent forged hundreds of policies using unsuspecting people’s identities to steal more than $600,000 in commissions, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Tuesday, April 15. Dennis Wright, 42, of Glenside, is accused of creating 332 fake life insurance policies between June 2020 and February 2022, forging personal details and signatures — without the victims’ knowledge or consent — to earn sales commissions from National Guardian Life Insurance (NGL), investigators said. Wright then funneled the $603,000 he received through multiple fake b…
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…