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Mafia Hoax: Fake Kidnapping Photos By PA Man Prompts Friends To Call London Police, FBI
A Lancaster County man faked his own Mafia abduction—complete with staged beatings, a gun to his head, and ransom demands—scamming victims out of more than $126,000 before law enforcement unraveled his elaborate scheme, authorities said.
Joshua B. Fernando, 27, of Salisbury Township, was sentenced to six to 23 months in prison followed by two years of probation after pleading guilty to felony theft by deception, the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office announced on Thursday, Feb. 27.
Fernando convinced his victims that he had traveled to Europe on business in May 2024 but soon call…
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…
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
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…
$1 Million In Medicaid Fraud, Neglect Hidden By Berks County 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…
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…
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 …
