Fake Cash, Real Refunds: NY Men Accused Of Retail Theft Spree Across 16 PA Counties
Four New York men are accused of turning counterfeit cash into real money through a retail theft scheme spanning 16 Pennsylvania counties, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Thursday, Nov. 5.
The group allegedly used fake bills to purchase merchandise at major retailers, then returned the items to collect legitimate cash refunds, according to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
The suspects — Fitzroy James, Fabian Coke, Gabriel Young, and Christopher Nicholas — allegedly made more than $20,000 in purchases or attempted purchases using counterfeit money at Kohl's, Target, Hom…
More Than $49K Stolen By Nonprofit Treasurer, Lower Paxton Police Say
A Pennsylvania nonprofit’s treasurer stole nearly $50,000 through unauthorized wire transfers and cash withdrawals, with some money routed through two associates before reaching her accounts, police wrote in court documents.
Corrie Lynn Lingenfelter, 36, of Carlisle, took $49,570 from the Latino Connection Foundation, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Daily Voice on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
The investigation began after the Harrisburg nonprofit reported unauthorized bank withdrawals on Thursday, May 28, Lower Paxton police said in a release issued Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Investigators tra…
Conservative Influencer From Westwood Charged In Minnesota Voting Stunt
Two conservative influencers said they were putting Minnesota's voter vouching law to an extreme test when they dressed in Muslim-style clothing, adopted fake accents, and filmed themselves at polling places. But after reviewing videos of the stunt, prosecutors said the pair had violated state election laws and charged both with felonies.
James Edward O'Keefe, 42, who grew up in Westwood, NJ, and Cam Higby, 26, of Gouverneur, NY, were each charged with felony unlawful voting and identity theft on Wednesday, Oct. 28, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office announced.
The charges stem from the …
Digital Takeover: Virginia Scammers Hijack Victim's Phone, Turn It Against Them, Sheriff Says
A Virginia resident thought they were protecting their phone from hackers.
Instead, they handed scammers the keys to their digital kingdom.
What followed was a full-blown digital takeover, with fraudsters hijacking the victim's phone, opening bank accounts in their name, moving money around, and even targeting their friends for more cash.
The elaborate scheme came to light in Stafford County on Tuesday, Oct. 27, when deputies investigated a fraud complaint on Garrison Woods Drive, according to the Stafford County Sheriff's Office.
It started with a phone call from someone claiming to repr…
'Good Morning, Babe:' Sinister Secret Behind DC Romance Scam That Targeted MD Victims Revealed
It started with an attractive woman on a dating app, a few flirtatious messages, and what appeared to be the beginning of an online romance.
But for victims in Maryland and across the country, federal investigators say the women were bait, the affection was scripted, and the relationship was designed to drain their cryptocurrency accounts.
Six people have been charged in an international fraud operation that used fake dating profiles, rehearsed conversations, and fraudulent investment websites to steal from unsuspecting Americans, the US Attorney's Office in DC announced on Tuesday, Oct. 27…
Bearded Bank Suspect Bags $9K In Ravena, Tries For Another Haul With Fake Military ID: Police
A mystery man stole $9,000 from a Capital Region bank, then attempted to take $9,000 more using fake military credentials, police said.
The man used a fraudulent New York State driver’s license to withdraw $9,000 from the Bank of Greene County in Ravena on Friday, Sept. 25, New York State Police announced Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Additionally, the man tried to withdraw $9,000 from Arrow Bank in Glens Falls using a fraudulent military VA identification card but was denied, according to authorities.
The suspect was caught on camera at one location wearing a plaid flannel shirt, bushy beard, and blu…
PA Mom Faked Son’s Death For GoFundMe, Then Her Own To Avoid Court: Affidavit
A mom charged with collecting donations for her living son’s funeral faked her own death to get the case closed — but cellphone records, a Snapchat post, and a dumpster order helped expose the scheme, detectives wrote in court documents.
Jennifer Marie Lamer, 39, of Carrolltown, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, faces 29 charges stemming from fabricated medical documents and an obituary submitted to Blair County officials, according to court records.
Lamer waived her preliminary hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 20, sending all 29 charges to county court, as shown in court documents Daily Voice obtained…
Virginia Dem, 82, Charged In $4.5M Marijuana Empire With Family
An 82-year-old Virginia senator allegedly saw one last opportunity to build generational wealth, and federal prosecutors say she was willing to use her political power to get it, even as she helped run a $4.5 million marijuana trafficking operation involving her own family.
L. Louise Lucas, a powerful Portsmouth Democrat who chairs the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, was among seven people named in an eight-count federal indictment unsealed on Thursday, Oct. 22, accusing her of leading a criminal enterprise that distributed marijuana, laundered money, and used political influenc…
Texas Father, Daughter Used Copier Sales In CT To Launder Fraud Money, Feds Say
A Texas father and daughter used purchases of secondhand copiers from Connecticut businesses to move fraud money to India, federal prosecutors allege.
Ketan Kamdar, 61, and his daughter, Jheel Kamdar, 30, both of Katy, Texas, were indicted in Bridgeport last month on two counts each of money laundering conspiracy, the US Attorney for the District of Connecticut said Wednesday, Oct. 21.
The charges connect Connecticut suppliers to an alleged scheme that turned fraud proceeds into payments for people in India. Prosecutors say the operation began around 2023.
The Kamdars bought the copi…
Queens Woman Cashed Fake $30K Check In Nassau County, Police Say
A Queens woman deposited a counterfeit $30,000 cashier’s check at a Long Island credit union and withdrew all the money, police said following her arrest on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
Nathalie A. Desouza, 30, of Queens Village, deposited the fake Citizens Bank cashier’s check into her personal account at Navy Federal Credit Union, located at 300 Steamboat Road in Kings Point, according to Nassau County police.
She withdrew the entire $30,000 between Tuesday, Sept. 5, and Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, detectives said.
An extensive investigation led detectives to Desouza in New York City, where she was ar…
Debit Card Theft And Series Of Lies Land Wilton Woman In Handcuffs: Police
A Capital Region woman stole a debit card, then destroyed it when she learned police were going to investigate the theft, authorities said.
Brandi M. Curtin, 46, of Wilton, was arrested Monday, Oct. 12, following a fraud investigation, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s office announced Sunday, Oct. 18.
Deputies received the initial complaint on Cabin Drive in Wilton on Monday, Oct. 5 around 5:30 p.m., authorities said.
Curtin is accused of stealing the card and later destroying it after learning the theft was being reported, police said.
She also gave investigators a false written statement a…
PA Welfare Office Supervisor Stole $20K In Food Benefits, Traded EBT Cards For Crack: Lehigh DA
A Pennsylvania welfare office supervisor stole more than $20,000 in food assistance benefits from families in need, using stolen Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to buy drugs, withdraw cash, and shop at local stores, authorities announced on Monday, Oct. 19.
Sheila McDonald, 46, of Pittsburgh, was working as a clerical supervisor and EBT coordinator at the Lehigh County Assistance Office in Allentown when she stole 48 cards and used them in more than 270 unauthorized transactions totaling $20,558.61, according to Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Pennsylvania State …
USPS Flags Possible Delivery Disruptions: What To Know
Waiting for something important in the mail? The US Postal Service warns that some deliveries could take longer to reach your doorstep.
The agency’s service alerts, updated Saturday, Oct. 17, flag weather-related disruptions that could delay mail processing, transportation, and delivery in several parts of the country.
The warnings cover affected areas in Hawaii, the Gulf Coast, the Southeast, the West, and the Mariana Islands. USPS also maintains state-by-state notices about local post office closures and service changes.
For Northeast customers, the distinction matters: a suspension at a…
Man Charged In $20K Tenafly Check Fraud Scheme Years After Route 80 Police Chase
A New Jersey man once arrested following a high-speed pursuit on Route 80 has been charged again, this time in a nearly $20,000 check fraud scheme, authorities said.
Nicholas G. Didio-Slaaen, 27, of Garfield, was arrested Thursday, Oct. 15, following a two-year investigation by Tenafly Police Detective Michael Vecchiarelli, Deputy Chief Michael deMoncada said.
The investigation began in August 2024, when a victim mailed a legitimate $2,500 check to a contractor for work performed, deMoncada said.
The check was intercepted, altered to list Didio-Slaaen as the payee, and deposited into his p…
Jericho PTA Mom Admits Stealing $50K For Tickets, Hotels, And Amazon: Authorities
A Long Island PTA mom admitted stealing more than $50,000 from the organization and spending it on herself, authorities said.
Jodi Scarlatos, 44, of Centereach, pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny on Thursday, Oct. 15, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office said.
Scarlatos was treasurer of the Jericho Elementary School PTA from July 2020 through September 2023, giving her access to the group’s bank account and a debit card meant only for PTA expenses, investigators said.
Instead, she spent the money at restaurants, Best Buy, Ticketmaster, Amazon, and Verizon, along with ho…
$300K Stolen From Youth Soccer Club In Cohoes, Ex-Treasurer Admits Theft: Authorities
A Capital Region youth soccer club leader admitted stealing nearly $300,000 from the club and spending it on personal and business expenses, authorities said.
William Nevins, 55, of Menands, pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny Wednesday, Oct. 14, the Albany County District Attorney’s office said. He is expected to get between one and five years in prison as part of a plea deal, according to authorities.
Nevins siphoned money from Latham Circle Soccer Club between 2017 and 2022 while serving as its treasurer, investigators said.
He wrote checks to his personal and business account…
