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Economic Crimes Unit

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$1.5M Cosmetics Scam Sends NJ Swindler To Fed Pen For 2½ Years $1.5M Cosmetics Scam Sends NJ Swindler To Fed Pen For 2½ Years
$1.5M Cosmetics Scam Sends NJ Swindler To Fed Pen For 2½ Years A former Englewood resident must serve nearly 2½ years in federal prison for scamming three investors out of $1.5 million. Matthew Benjamin, 54, used the victims' money for car and house rental payments, food, international travel, legal fees, technology equipment and summer camp tuition for family members, among other purposes, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. Benjamin, currently of New York, told the victims that his purported company, Clear Solutions Group, had lucrative contracts to purchase closeout or excess cosmetic inventory from one company that he planned to …

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by Jerry DeMarco
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Puerto Rican Man Admits Plot To Smuggle 330 Pounds Of Coke Into NJ Puerto Rican Man Admits Plot To Smuggle 330 Pounds Of Coke Into NJ
Puerto Rican Man Admits Plot To Smuggle 330 Pounds Of Coke Into NJ A Puerto Rican resident admitted coordinating a private shipment of more than 300 pounds of cocaine into Teterboro Airport, federal authorities said. Mariano Enrique Arroyo Perez, 29, took a deal from the government rather than risk a trial, pleading guilty Tuesday in federal court in Newark to conspiring to distribute five or more kilos of coke, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig said. The conspiracy unraveled after four men not on the manifest boarded a private Teterboro-bound plane in Puerto Rico with "particularly heavy" luggage, raising the pilots' suspicions, Honig said. Investiga…

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by Jerry DeMarco
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FBI: NJ Stockbroker Scams Investors Out Of $600,000 With Bogus Tix Biz FBI: NJ Stockbroker Scams Investors Out Of $600,000 With Bogus Tix Biz
FBI: NJ Stockbroker Scams Investors Out Of $600,000 With Bogus Tix Biz FBI agents busted a now-former stockbroker from Jersey City who they said ran a side hustle that scammed victims out of more than $600,000 through a fictional ticket-reselling business. Michael J. Clarke, 62, lost his job once it came to light that his promises of getting discounted tickets that he could later sell at premium rates for concerts and sporting events -- as well as seat licenses to the U.S. Open -- were lies, authorities said. Clarke, who was a licensed municipal securities trader, promised victims who fronted him the money for the purported ticket brokerage that they'd get a …

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by Jerry DeMarco
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Jersey Shore Wrestling Champ Arrested By FBI On Child Porn Charges Jersey Shore Wrestling Champ Arrested By FBI On Child Porn Charges
Jersey Shore Wrestling Champ Arrested By FBI On Child Porn Charges A New Jersey state wrestling champion and coach who made national headlines when he revealed that he’s gay was arrested by the FBI Wednesday on child porn charges, federal authorities said. Alec Donovan, 24, of Brick Township also used an app to “solicit and engage in conversations with minors, including requesting nude photographs from the minors and sending nude photographs to them,” Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig said. Donovan, who records show has coached at the Shorething Wrestling Club in Lakewood, “sent three videos containing images of child sexual abuse and received two vide…

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by Jerry DeMarco
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Feds: California Gal Admits Running $9.9 Million Counterfeit Coupon Scam Feds: California Gal Admits Running $9.9 Million Counterfeit Coupon Scam
Feds: California Gal Admits Running $9.9 Million Counterfeit Coupon Scam A California woman admitted in federal court in New Jersey that she created and sold more than $9.9 million worth of counterfeit coupons used at retail stores throughout the country.Using the name “Mandy Carr,” Tong Lor printed Carolina coupons with fake bar codes for household items such as diapers, laundry detergent, and toiletries and then mailed them to customers nationwide, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Lor, 34, of Modesto sold the counterfeit coupons via invitation-only Internet groups associated with her businesses: Mandy’s Treasure Box, Mandy's Knitting Club, and …

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by Jerry DeMarco