Fair 31°
Tag:

Fraud

News
Alert Issued For USPS Scam Text: Here's What To Know Alert Issued For USPS Scam Text: Here's What To Know
Alert Issued For USPS Scam Text: Here's What To Know A new scam is targeting people with fraudulent text messages pretending to be from the United States Postal Service (USPS)—and officials are urging caution. The US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) is warning customers about a rise in phishing and smishing attacks, where fraudsters send fake texts and emails that appear to come from USPS. The messages often claim that a package is delayed or that a payment is due, directing recipients to click a link that steals personal information. How To Identify A Fake USPS Message Postal inspectors say these scams are becoming more advanced, but ther…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
News
Scammers Stole Taylor Swift Eras Tour Tickets In $600K+ Scheme, Prosecutors Say Scammers Stole Taylor Swift Eras Tour Tickets In $600K+ Scheme, Prosecutors Say
Scammers Stole Taylor Swift Eras Tour Tickets In $600K+ Scheme, Prosecutors Say Taylor Swift fans are hoping "Karma" comes to whoever scammed them out of expensive tickets to The Eras Tour. Two people were accused of stealing nearly 1,000 tickets to high-demand events, including the popstar's record-breaking concert tour. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced arrests in the case in a news release on Monday, Mar. 3. Tyrone Rose, 20, of Kingston, Jamaica, and Shamara Simmons, 31, of Queens, NY, were facing charges including grand larceny, conspiracy, and computer tampering.  "These defendants tried to use the popularity of Taylor Swift…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
'Buy One, Get One' Fugitive Fraudster Duo Caught At Virginia Hotel, Sheriff Says 'Buy One, Get One' Fugitive Fraudster Duo Caught At Virginia Hotel, Sheriff Says
'Buy One, Get One' Fugitive Fraudster Duo Caught At Virginia Hotel, Sheriff Says A wanted Virginia man didn’t realize he was getting arrested—and neither did his friend, who turned out to be wanted as well, deputies said. Stafford County Sheriff’s deputies were called to Affordable Suites of America on Woodstock Lane shortly before 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27 after a tipster spotted Christopher Culbertson, 45, of Warrenton, who was wanted in Prince William County for multiple larceny and fraud charges, authorities said. When deputies arrived, they found Culbertson casually packing his belongings into a car, unaware that his stay was about to be taken into custody. …

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Business
$1.4M In Crypto Seized During Historic Virginia Bust, Sheriff Says $1.4M In Crypto Seized During Historic Virginia Bust, Sheriff Says
$1.4M In Crypto Seized During Historic Virginia Bust, Sheriff Says A single text message, sent to the wrong person, led to one of the largest cryptocurrency recoveries in Virginia history. The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) announced Monday, Feb. 24, that it seized $1.4 million in stolen cryptocurrency—recovered from a sophisticated “pig butchering” scam.  Officials believe the bust is among the first and largest of its kind in the state. “This seizure sends a clear signal to bad actors: Loudoun County is coming for you,” Sheriff Mike Chapman said. “We will not allow our citizens to be taken advantage of and will do everything possible to get…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Trio Trying To Protect Fugitive Fraudster Facing Charges In Virginia, Sheriff Says Trio Trying To Protect Fugitive Fraudster Facing Charges In Virginia, Sheriff Says
Trio Trying To Protect Fugitive Fraudster Facing Charges In Virginia, Sheriff Says What started as a search for one landed three people behind bars after attempting to escape out the back door of a Stafford County home, only to be met by deputies waiting outside, authorities said. Rehela Lacatus, 31, who was wanted on multiple felony offenses, was taken into custody at around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4 on Olympic Drive was taken into custody by deputies serving a fraud-related warrants, according to the sheriff's office. Deputies R.W. Stamm and W.E. Trainor approached the front door, while Deputy C.T. Richardson positioned himself in the backyard—a move that paid off when …

SHARE

by Zak Failla
News
$44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever $44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever
$44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever Seven New Yorkers have been charged in a sweeping tax fraud scheme, accused of exploiting pandemic relief programs to steal over $44 million, federal prosecutors announced. The indictment by the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, unsealed Wednesday, Jan. 22, alleges that the defendants filed over 8,000 fraudulent tax returns, seeking more than $600 million in COVID-19 relief funds through the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and related programs. Investigators determined the group successfully secured $44 million from the federal government. Defendants Long Island …

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers
American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers American Express said it will pay $230 million to resolve federal investigations into deceptive sales tactics and recordkeeping violations involving small business credit card and wire transfer products. The credit card company agreed to pay a $108.7 million civil penalty, the Department of Justice said in a news release on Thursday, Jan. 16. The settlement resolved claims against American Express of deceptive marketing and "dummy" account information. American Express was accused of engaging in unlawful sales tactics and falsifying records between 2014 and 2021. "When financial companies …

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Business
Don't Fall For It: New Twist On Imposter Fraud Targets Your Money, Personal Info Don't Fall For It: New Twist On Imposter Fraud Targets Your Money, Personal Info
Don't Fall For It: New Twist On Imposter Fraud Targets Your Money, Personal Info The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is sounding the alarm on a sophisticated new imposter scheme designed to steal your money and personal information.  These scams are becoming increasingly convincing, but learning to spot the red flags can help you stay protected. How the Scam Works Initial Contact: Scammers pose as representatives from well-known companies, such as Amazon or a tech support service. They’ll claim there’s a routine issue, like suspicious charges on your account, a computer virus, or an account breach. Escalation: The scammers lie, saying your name is tied to serious …

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Woman Accused Of Striking Officer With Car During Getaway At VA Walmart Arrested, Police Say Woman Accused Of Striking Officer With Car During Getaway At VA Walmart Arrested, Police Say
Woman Accused Of Striking Officer With Car During Getaway At VA Walmart Arrested, Police Say A 21-year-old woman accused of grazing a law enforcement officer with her car during a chaotic August incident at a Prince William County Walmart has been arrested, authorities announced. Manassas resident Brenda Castillo-Samo was taken into custody following a months-long investigation into a strange incident that started with fraudulent returns at the store and ended with an officer injured. The charges stem from a midday incident on Aug. 11 at Walmart on Liberia Avenue, where members of the Prince William County Police Department were called in to investigate suspected fraudulent returns…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
California Duo Busted For Fraudulent Gift Card Scheme In Fairfax County: Police California Duo Busted For Fraudulent Gift Card Scheme In Fairfax County: Police
California Duo Busted For Fraudulent Gift Card Scheme In Fairfax County: 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…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
News
Former Virginia Health Official Sentenced For $4.3M Fraud Scheme, Tax Evasion: Feds Former Virginia Health Official Sentenced For $4.3M Fraud Scheme, Tax Evasion: Feds
Former Virginia Health Official Sentenced For $4.3M Fraud Scheme, Tax Evasion: Feds A man who once oversaw Virginia’s emergency response programs will spend six years in prison for misappropriating millions from the state's Department of Health, federal authorities said. A former senior official with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) was sentenced to six years in federal prison this week for orchestrating a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme and evading nearly $2 million in taxes, according to court records. Adam Lamar Harrell, 41, of Midlothian, used his position as Associate Director of the Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) to siphon $4.3 million in public …

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Politics
Trump Taps Dr. Oz, Penn Alum, To Lead Medicare And Medicaid Services Trump Taps Dr. Oz, Penn Alum, To Lead Medicare And Medicaid Services
Trump Taps Dr. Oz, Penn Alum, To Lead Medicare And Medicaid Services President-elect Donald J. Trump has nominated Dr. Mehmet Oz to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), citing the Pennsylvania-educated heart surgeon’s decades-long dedication to healthcare innovation and public advocacy. The announcement came Tuesday, Nov. 19, as Trump highlighted Oz’s qualifications and ties to the Keystone State. Dr. Oz earned both his medical degree and MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Medicine and Wharton Business School, making him an Ivy League-trained physician and business leader. Trump lauded his achievements in a statement, ca…

SHARE

by Jillian Pikora
Police & Fire
Virginia Impostor Oversaw 60 Patients During Fake Nurse Scheme In California, Police Say Virginia Impostor Oversaw 60 Patients During Fake Nurse Scheme In California, Police Say
Virginia Impostor Oversaw 60 Patients During Fake Nurse Scheme In California, Police Say A Virginia woman on federal probation for fraud is back behind bars after allegedly impersonating a nurse and securing jobs at multiple Los Angeles County hospitals, including overseeing dozens of patients without proper credentials, the Burbank Police Department announced. The suspect, 44-year-old Amanda Leeann Porter, was identified after hospital staff at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank discovered she was posing as a licensed nurse from out of state.  Between April 8 and May 8, Porter reportedly cared for approximately 60 patients while fraudulently employed. Port…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Florida Woman, Maryland Man Passing Bad Checks In Virginia Tracked Down, Sheriff Says Florida Woman, Maryland Man Passing Bad Checks In Virginia Tracked Down, Sheriff Says
Florida Woman, Maryland Man Passing Bad Checks In Virginia Tracked Down, Sheriff Says Two suspects visiting Virginia from out of state are facing felony charges following an investigation into a series of bad checks that were used at several Stafford County businesses, officials say. Pasadena Raymond Wilson, 36, and 20-year-old Florida resident Jessie Mainville were both arrested this week after their checks bounced - and not for the first time. At around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, deputies from the Stafford County Sheriff's Office were called to O'Reilly Auto Parts on Bojangles way, where there was a report of fraud suspects in the business. "Staff advised a male a…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
News
Fraud Fugitive Found With Cameras, VR Systems In BMW During Stafford Stop, Sheriff Says Fraud Fugitive Found With Cameras, VR Systems In BMW During Stafford Stop, Sheriff Says
Fraud Fugitive Found With Cameras, VR Systems In BMW During Stafford Stop, Sheriff Says The BMW driver busted with thousands of dollars in electronics after attempting to commit return fraud at Target in Stafford County was given bond after members of the sheriff's office caught her red handed, officials say. Chloee Davis, 32, who was already wanted by Virginia Beach Police, is facing new charges in Stafford after a failed attempt at subterfuge at the store on South Gateway Drive. According to the Stafford County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to the Target late on Sunday night after staff recognized Davis from an incident in June and alerted the agency. Davis was abl…

SHARE

by Zak Failla