$203K Cash, $80K Gold Bars Swindled From Franklin Square Woman In Apple Scam $203K Cash, $80K Gold Bars Swindled From Franklin Square Woman In Apple Scam
$203K Cash, $80K Gold Bars Swindled From Franklin Square Woman In Apple Scam A Brooklyn man is accused of trying to scam an 80-year-old woman out of gold bars in Franklin Square, Nassau County police said on Thursday, Dec. 19. The victim received a text message claiming her Apple ID had been compromised, prompting her to call a phone number provided in the message, police said. She was connected to a man claiming to be a Chase Bank representative working with the FBI. Between Oct. 10 and Dec. 6, the man persuaded her to give him $203,000 in cash and gold bars "for safekeeping," according to investigators. On Thursday, Dec. 19, the man allegedly contacted the victim …
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…
Former Vineland Little League Prez Stole Nearly $48K From Organization: Cops Former Vineland Little League Prez Stole Nearly $48K From Organization: Cops
Former Vineland Little League Prez Stole Nearly $48K From Organization: Cops A Vineland man is accused of stealing nearly $48,000 from a local Little League organization while serving as its president, authorities said. Jose L. Ramos, 58, was arrested after an investigation revealed he used funds belonging to the South Vineland Little League (SVLL) for personal expenses between 2018 and 2024, police said. The theft came to light on Nov. 25, 2024, after Officer A. Hunter investigated the incident. Ramos, who served as the SVLL board’s acting president since 2017, allegedly withheld account records and bank statements from the board during his tenure. A fellow board …
California Duo Busted By 'Christmas Anti-Theft Team' For Gift Card Scheme In Reston: Police California Duo Busted By 'Christmas Anti-Theft Team' For Gift Card Scheme In Reston: Police
California Duo Busted By 'Christmas Anti-Theft Team' For Gift Card Scheme In Reston: Police Detectives in Reston cracked down on a fraudulent gift card operation, arresting two men from California who now face a staggering 50 felony charges. On Wednesday, Dec. 11, officers patrolling the 12100 block of Sunset Hill Road as part of the Christmas Anti-Theft Team (CATT) were alerted to suspicious activity by a loss prevention officer, who identified a suspect involved in a prior fraud incident. Officers observed Haijun Qin, 36, of California, placing altered Visa gift cards onto sale racks in a store before attempting to leave. Upon detaining Qin, police found over 22 tampered gi…
Mahwah Mansion Seized From Chinese Billionaire Fraudster Listed At $33M Mahwah Mansion Seized From Chinese Billionaire Fraudster Listed At $33M
Mahwah Mansion Seized From Chinese Billionaire Fraudster Listed At $33M A historic Bergen County estate seized from a Chinese billionaire indicted in a $1 billion fraud scheme last year has hit the market for $33 million. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Carl Gambino (@carlgambino.realestate) The Crocker Mansion, located at 675 Ramapo Valley Road in Mahwah, spans 50,000 square feet and sits on 12.5 gated acres. Originally built in 1907, the property features 21 bedrooms, a pool house, tennis courts, and a guest house. It was declared a historic landmark by Mahwah Township due to its unique place in loc…
$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 …
Mays Landing Man Who Stole $50K From Grieving Families In Headstone Scam Indicted: Prosecutors Mays Landing Man Who Stole $50K From Grieving Families In Headstone Scam Indicted: Prosecutors
Mays Landing Man Who Stole $50K From Grieving Families In Headstone Scam Indicted: Prosecutors A Mays Landing man who operated a headstone business has been indicted after he was accused of defrauding more than 30 grieving families out of about $50,000, authorities said. A grand jury handed down the indictment against 71-year-old Jiolio "Joe" Cincotti on Thursday, Dec. 12, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release. He was charged with third-degree theft by deception and money laundering offenses after taking payments for headstones that were never delivered. Investigators said between October 2020 and December 2023, Cincotti owned and operated Atlantic …
Former Hoboken Employee Embezzled City Funds Into His Own Bank Account: Feds Former Hoboken Employee Embezzled City Funds Into His Own Bank Account: Feds
Former Hoboken Employee Embezzled City Funds Into His Own Bank Account: Feds The former Hoboken Director of Health and Human Services admitted on Thursday, Dec. 12 to embezzling money from the city, authorities said. Leo Pellegrini, who also served as director of the Department of Environmental Services diverted payments intended for the city to bank accounts he controlled, US Attorney Philip Sellinger said. Pellegrini also embezzled money from the city by submitting invoices for his personal business expenses, which the city unknowingly paid, Sellinger said. Pellegrini also pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return in Newark Federal Court. Pellegrini's position …
Gold Bar Scammer Preying On Elderly Becomes First In Montgomery County Sentenced To Prison Gold Bar Scammer Preying On Elderly Becomes First In Montgomery County Sentenced To Prison
Gold Bar Scammer Preying On Elderly Becomes First In Montgomery County Sentenced To Prison The first gold bar scammer linked to an international crime ring targeting elderly residents in Maryland received a harsh sentence while making history in Montgomery County. On Monday, Dec. 11, Circuit Court Judge Margaret Schweitzer sentenced 26-year-old Ravinklejeet Mathon, of Rockville, to 10 years in prison, suspending all but five years, followed by five years of probation, well above the suggested guidelines for sentencing. Mathon was arrested in May after picking up the gold bars under the guise of being a courier.  The elderly victim, manipulated into believing his identity wa…
Troy Man Nabbed On Multiple Fraudulent Check Warrants Troy Man Nabbed On Multiple Fraudulent Check Warrants
Troy Man Nabbed On Multiple Fraudulent Check Warrants New York State Police nabbed a Capital Region man wanted on numerous warrants for allegedly cashing fraudulent checks worth more than $4,000. Terrance M. Lee, 35, of Troy in Rensselaer County, was charged on Monday, Dec. 9, with four counts of possession of a forged instrument, two counts of grand larceny, and two counts of petit larceny. According to Trooper Stephanie O'Neil, the arrest resolves four open investigations into Lee. On Saturday, Sept. 14, Lee allegedly possessed fraudulent checks and deposited them in Albany and Rensselaer counties. His reported crimes resulted in the theft o…
Award-Winning Former Rec Director Admits To Stealing $9K+ From Brick Township: Prosecutors Award-Winning Former Rec Director Admits To Stealing $9K+ From Brick Township: Prosecutors
Award-Winning Former Rec Director Admits To Stealing $9K+ From Brick Township: Prosecutors A former Brick Township official, once celebrated as a top professional in his field, has admitted to stealing nearly $10,000 in township recreation fees, authorities said. Daniel Santaniello, 46, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Dec. 10 to theft, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release.  Santaniello was previously the recreation director for Brick Township. The New Jersey Recreation & Park Association gave him the "Professional of the Year Award" in 2016. Investigators said Santaniello abused his position to charge private organizations cash to u…
Romanian Duo Charged in $289K Bitcoin-For-Fake-Gold Cryptocurrency Scam In Bergen County Romanian Duo Charged in $289K Bitcoin-For-Fake-Gold Cryptocurrency Scam In Bergen County
Romanian Duo Charged in $289K Bitcoin-For-Fake-Gold Cryptocurrency Scam In Bergen County A year-long investigation has led to charges against two Romanian men accused of orchestrating a cryptocurrency scam involving fake gold and Bitcoin valued at approximately $289,000, and a Bergen County victim, authorities said. The suspects, 33-year-old Ciprian A. Tiber and 43-year-old Ahmed Zarei, remain at large and are believed to have returned to Romania following the alleged fraudulent transaction in September 2023, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced. The investigation began when Hasbrouck Heights police contacted the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crime…