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Tag:
Fraud
Ulster Sullivan
Police & Fire
Welfare Fraud Task Force Makes 2 Arrests In Sullivan County
Two women from the region have been nabbed for alleged welfare fraud. The arrests occurred in Sullivan County in Monticello on Friday, April 12, and Thursday, April 25. According to the Sullivan County Welfare Fraud Task Force, the following arrests were made: Drewcilla R. Noel, age 31, of Monticello, was arrested on Friday, April 12, and charged with grand larceny and theft of services. It is alleged that Noel utilized Medicaid Medical Transportation services on various dates beginning June 2023 and continuing through December 2023 with multiple transportation compan…
Bucks
News
$118K+ Furniture Scam Lands Bedminster Couple Jail Time: DA
A husband and wife in Bedminster will spend time in jail for ripping off customers of their furniture business, according to prosecutors. Austin Smallacombe pleaded guilty last month to felony theft by deception and related counts, the Bucks County District Attorney's Office said in a release. His wife Amanda Smallacombe previously pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of the same offenses, authorities said. Investigators have said the pair ran "A&A Custom Furniture" from their Perkasie home, taking large deposits for custom furniture orders that they never delivere…
Ocean
Police & Fire
Manahawkin Contractor Who Stole Nearly $700K From Sandy Victims Sentenced: Prosecutors
An Ocean County contractor will spend time in prison after admitting to stealing nearly $700,000 in funds meant to help victims of Hurricane Sandy, authorities said. Adam Nevius, 49, of Manahawkin, was sentenced on Friday, May 3 to five years in state prison, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced in a news release. He pleaded guilty to theft by failure to make required disposition on Monday, June 19, 2023. Nevius and his wife, 55-year-old Kimberly Atkinson of Manahawkin, owned Coastal Restorations of New Jersey, LLC. Investigators said between Monday, Sept.…
Lyndhurst
Police & Fire
Contractor Admits Stiffing Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Nearly $500G For No-Show Work
UPDATE: An electrical supervisor from Bergen County admitted soaking the Hudson Bergen Light Rail for nearly a half-million dollars worth of no-show work, including while he was vacationing in Florida, federal authorities said. Joseph Ferrara, 56, of North Arlington, "submitted claims for compensation covering hundreds of hours relating to work allegedly performed during regular, overtime and double time hours" that was, in fact, never done, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip Sellinger said. Ferrara, who worked as an electrical supervisor for a subcontractor hired by the light rail system,…
White Plains
News
Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme: Pair Of Former Execs At White Plains Company Sentenced
Two former high-ranking executives have been sentenced for stealing millions of dollars from their employer in Westchester County through a fraudulent scheme involving sham companies and fake invoices. The two worked at OrthoNet, a healthcare claims processing company based in White Plains. Shawn Rains, age 57, of Le Bouscat, France, who was previously convicted of mail fraud conspiracy, mail fraud, and money laundering conspiracy after a two-week trial, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Northern Westchester resident Joseph Maharaj, age 42, of Goldens Bridge, had pl…
Loudoun
Police & Fire
Police Imposters Steal Cash From Motorist In Leesburg, Police Say
Leesburg police are on the lookout for a pair of imposters who stole money from a motorist last week. The men were in a newer model grey Toyota Corolla with tinted windows when they pulled up alongside the victim on the 800 block of Edwards Ferry Road NE Friday, April 26 around 4:30 p.m., police said. The vehicle had flashing red and blue lights on its dashboard, so the victim stopped for it. Two males got out the and displayed silver badges. During the interaction, one of the men took money from the victim’s wallet. The pair then got back into their vehicle and drove away. The Toyota wa…
Essex MA
Police & Fire
Ex-Postal Employee In Revere, Melrose Stole Cash From Mail, Created Fake Money Orders: Feds
A 36-year-old former postal clerk has been arrested and charged with stealing hundreds of pieces of mail containing cash, checks, and gift cards and generating fake money orders worth more than $8,000 in total, authorities said. Michael Murray, of Lynn, was arrested Friday morning, April 26, and charged with one count of theft of mail matter by an employee and one count of theft of government money, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. Murray worked at the Beach Street Post Office in Revere and the Melrose Post Office from September 2022 until July 2023. During that…
Monmouth
Police & Fire
Gas Attendant Stole Thousands From Customers At Freehold Township Wawa: Prosecutors
A former Monmouth County gas station attendant was accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers, authorities said. Patrick Brown, 48, of Newark, was indicted by a grand jury on 52 counts, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced in a news release on Wednesday, Apr. 24. He was charged with 13 counts each of third-degree credit card fraud, third-degree false uttering, third-degree theft, and fourth-degree credit card theft. Freehold Township police said the thefts at the Wawa on Route 9 North happened "during a limited amount of time" in August 2023. Bro…
Suffolk NY
News
Odometer Rollback Scheme Orchestrated By Shirley Auto Prez, Saleswoman, DA Says
A Long Island car dealer and her associate are accused of duping customers into buying high mileage used cars by changing their odometer readings. Ashley Duff, age 27, and Ginger Sipes, age 58, both of Shirley, are facing fraud and conspiracy charges in Suffolk County Court. Prosecutors said Duff’s company, ABB Auto World Inc., bought high mileage cars from auctions and then had their odometers rolled back to show lower mileage. Some of the vehicles had over 200,000 miles on them. Duff and Sipes would then advertise the cars for sale on Facebook Marketplace, charging thousands of dollars m…
Bucks
News
Former Bucks Hospital Director Pleads Guilty To Stealing $600K From Charitable Account: DA
A one-time director of Doylestown Hospital pleaded guilty to embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars on Monday, April 15, according to the Bucks County District Attorney's Office. Norma Galagarza, 68, of Chalfont, was previously accused of siphoning over $600,000 from a corporate account filled with charitable donations, Daily Voice reported. On Monday, she entered an open guilty plea to felony counts of theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, forgery, access device fraud, and computer trespass, the DA's Office said. She was sentenced to five years' pr…
Capital District
Police & Fire
Scammers Posing As
Nysp
Troopers, Agency Warns
New York State Police are sounding the alarm over scammers posing as troopers in order to con victims out of their money. In an alert issued Tuesday, April 9, the agency said fraudsters employ a variety of tactics to con their victims, including demanding payment for a missed court date, jury duty, or other legal matter. The phony cops have also been known to claim there is a warrant for the victim’s arrest and threaten to apprehend them unless a fine is paid. In some cases, scammers have directed the victim to buy a prepaid money transfer card and give them the card number. “They might s…
Nassau
News
Long Beach Nurse, Former Marine Reservist Faked COVID Vax Cards:
Usao
Two people – including a nurse from Long Island – have been given their prison sentences for running a scheme, peddling faked COVID-19 vaccination cards. Queens man Jia Liu, age 28, faced his 21-month sentence for the scheme on Friday, April 5, according to the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York. Alongside Steven Rodriguez, a 29-year-old nurse from Long Beach, the two men conspired to steal, forge, sell, and distribute COVID-19 vaccination cards to hundreds of unvaccinated people between March 2021 and February 2022. Original Story - COVID-19…
Bucks
Police & Fire
Fake Cop Scammed Elderly Couple Out Of $30K In Bucks County: Authorities
A fraudster claiming to be a Warwick police officer shook down a township couple over the weekend, according to officials. Township police said the scammer called an elderly couple in the Hidden Ponds neighborhood and claimed he had arrested their adult daughter. The victims handed over more than $30,000 for a "cash bail," investigators said. "Unfortunately, this is a common scam," township police said. "We will do everything we can to try and recover our victims' lost money, but we have little evidence. Please be alert, and share this information with friends and relativ…
Nassau
Police & Fire
$30K Gambling Scam: Man Nabbed For Scheme In Mineola
A Brooklyn man was caught and arrested for attempting to scam a Long Island woman out of tens of thousands of dollars, police said. It happened on Monday, April 1 in Mineola, according to Nassau County Police. On that day, a 57-year-old woman was contacted by the alleged scammer, who claimed to be a Microsoft employee. He told the victim that she had a $30,000 gambling charge on her account. Then, a short time later, another man called the victim, this time claiming to be from Chase Fraud Prevention. Police said that the second caller persuaded the woman to take out the $30,000 in cas…
Bucks
News
Bensalem Police Won't Ask You For Money: Department Warns Of Scam Callers
Police in Bensalem are advising area residents to be on the lookout for scam phone calls. BPD says multiple residents have reported fraudulent phone calls from scammers impersonating officers, sometimes using the names of real policemen. The fraudsters "often state that someone in the home has missed a grand jury date or hearing and owes money to avoid criminal or civil penalties," the department says. No Bensalem police officer of any rank will call to ask for money, authorities warn. Residents should be weary of any callers who ask them to pay through gift cards,…
Arlington
Police & Fire
Woman Burglarizes Home On Same Arlington Block She Barricaded Herself In Months Ago, Police Say
Charges are racking up for a former Florida woman who barricaded herself in a vacant Virginia home last October, as she's had yet another run-in with the law after committing on a crime on the very same block, authorities said. Vivian Vann, 52, was one of two women who forced their way into a vacant home and swiped some items before leaving the scene on N. Powhatan Street in a black sedan early Monday, March 25, officials in Arlington said. During the course of the investigation, Vann was identified as a suspect, and a warrant for her arrest was obtained. She was subsequently taken int…
Ramapo
News
$1.4M Fraudulent Bank Loan Scheme: Monsey Man Sentenced
A Hudson Valley man has been sentenced to prison in connection with a scheme to obtain a fraudulent $1.4 million loan from Park Avenue Bank. Rockland County resident Mendel Zilberberg, age 65, of Monsey, was sentenced on Wednesday, March 19 following a one-week trial. According to court documents, Zilberberg, who was a member of the bank's board of directors at the time of the offense, conspired with others, including Aron Fried, to obtain a fraudulent loan using a "star borrower" to make the loan application. The straw borrower applied for a $1.4 million loan from the Bank base…
Norfolk
Police & Fire
Mass Postal Worker Embezzled $19K From Post Office: Feds
A former United States Postal Service employee in Massachusetts is accused of stealing nearly $20,000 in cash with a money order scam, federal authorities said. Christine Hedges, 46, of Brockton, was charged with one count of theft of government money last week and released with conditions, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts said. Hedges began working at the post office in 2020 and moved up to lead sales and service associate at the Brockton branch. Investigators said Hedges used her authority to generate no-fee money orders for her personal use and would take cash from…
Nassau
News
Freeport Woman Scams Nearly $50K From SSA Using Late Grandmother's Pen Name: DA
A woman from Long Island used her dead grandmother’s pen name to collect Social Security benefits for years, authorities claimed. Freeport resident Alexandria Sobrane, age 46, was arraigned on Tuesday, March 18 for her alleged Social Security fraud, the Nassau County District Attorney announced. According to the DA’s Office, Sobrane’s grandmother, Hannah Sobrane, was born in 1920 and wrote children’s books under the pen name Babe Power. Starting in 1985, she retired and began receiving her Social Security benefits under the nom de plume she used for writing. However, in 2008, when the …
Delaware
Police & Fire
Delco Youth Club Treasurer Purchased Eagles Tickets, Vacationed Lavishly With Stolen $136K: DA
The treasurer of a Delaware County-based youth sports non-profit organization has been arrested on accusations she stole more than $136,000 from it, authorities said. Kathleen "Kathy" Hammond, 54, of Springfield, has served as the treasurer of the Springfield Youth Club (SYC) since 2018, but was terminated amid the accusations, the county's District Attorney said. Hammond used the money on an "array of personal expenses," including vacations, concerts, and tickets to Eagles games, DA Jack Stollsteimer said. Hammond admitted to the thefts when SYC confronted her about missing funds fro…
Fair Lawn-Glen Rock
Police & Fire
Scam
ALERT: Glen Rock Homeowner Loses $27,400 As Home Repair Con Men Prep For Spring
A roof repair scam cost a Glen Rock resident $27,400, prompting the borough police chief to warn citizens against con men who come to the door. Two visiting scammers who claimed to be from Nassau County, on Long Island, offered to repair a partially damaged section of one victim’s roof for $3,400, Glen Rock Police Chief Dean Ackermann said. No sooner had they begun their work than they suddenly “discovered” that the damage was “more extensive than originally thought,” the chief said. They asked for an additional $24,000 and the resident subsequently wired them the money, he said. The…
Nassau
News
Former Hempstead Housing Chairman Sentenced For $800K Kickback Scam
An ex-chairman for a Long Island housing authority will spend 10 years behind bars for fraud after he schemed to make construction contracts in exchange for kickback payments. Cornell Bozier, age 63 of North Baldwin, received his sentence of 10 years in prison on Monday, March 11, according to the US Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Eastern District of New York. From 2011 to 2013, Bozier served as the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the Village of Hempstead Housing Authority (VHHA), during which the department received nearly $1 million in federal funds. As the department was …
Paramus
Police & Fire
Guilty
: ‘Bling Bishop’ From Bergen Convicted Of Swindling NJ Parishioner's Mom, More
𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A flashy Brooklyn bishop who lives in Bergen County – and was infamously robbed at gunpoint during a live-streamed church service – was convicted in lower Manhattan of swindling the elderly mom of a parishioner out of her life savings, among other counts. Lamor Whitehead, 45, promised to put the $90,000 toward buying her a home, federal prosecutors told jurors in the Southern U.S. District of New York who found him guilty of all charges after only three hours of deliberations on Monday, March 11. Instead, the infamous "Bling Bishop" blew the money on BMW payments and luxury purchase…
Nassau
News
Murderer Stopped At Green Acres Mall For Supplies Before Dismembering Body:
Usao
A Queens man convicted of murdering and dismembering a woman to collect life insurance payments shopped at a mall on Long Island to get supplies to clean up the murder scene, officials announced. Cory Martin, age 36 of Queens, faced his conviction for the murder of then-26-year-old Brandy Odom, the United States Attorney’s Office announced on Monday, March 4. Earlier Report: NY Man Accused Of Murdering Woman In Life Insurance Scheme Martin lived with and operated as a pimp for both Odom and another co-conspirator at the time of the crime. Throughout 2017, Martin and his accomplice…
White Plains
News
Avoid Scams: These Are Top 10 Consumer Frauds Of 2023, NY AG Says
To honor National Consumer Protection Week, New York Attorney General Letitia James has revealed the most common fraud complaints faced by residents during 2023. In an announcement on Monday, March 4, James said that these common complaints ranged from price gouging of much-needed goods and services to housing issues, online banking fraud, and even travel-related issues. The top ten most common consumer complaints of 2023 in New York were: Retail Sales: (Online purchases, price gouging, retail sales, defective merchandise, poor customer service, pet stores, animal breede…
Arlington
News
Founder Of LGBTQ+ Non-Profit In DC Charged For Fraud After 'Unexpected Return' To US: Feds
The trailblazing founder of Casa Ruby, a DC-based non-profit that provided services to the LGBTQ+ community is facing charges for alleged fraud and money laundering, according to prosecutors. Ruby Corado, 53, made her initial court appearance in DC on Wednesday to face charges for allegedly defrauding Paycheck Protection and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan programs, and money laundering after fleeing the country, authorities announced. Specifically, Corado is accused of diverting at least $150,000 of $1.3 million in taxpayer-backed emergency relief funds, intended for the organi…
South Passaic
Police & Fire
Scammer Jailed After Collecting $27,000 For Car He Never Delivered: Wayne PD
A notorious scammer pocketed $27,900 for a car he didn’t deliver, then bounced a refund check after a Wayne detective got involved, authorities said. Anthony Antoniello, 38, of Totowa essentially gave Detective Michael Polifrone no choice but to charge him after offering a series of empty excuses, Detective Capt. Dan Daly said. Polifrone also discovered similar cases against Antoniello. Antoniello agreed both to refund the money and surrender to police to be processed on theft charges, the captain said. When he didn’t show, members of the Wayne Police Enforcement Unit went out and arreste…
Delaware
News
Philly Family Dollar Employee Bilked $170K Through Workers' Comp Scheme: AG
A Delaware woman will spend at least five years in a Pennsylvania prison after admitting to defrauding two employers through a workers' compensation scam, authorities say. Victoria Newell-Brown, 56, pleaded guilty to 10 felonies in October, said the Attorney General's Office in a release. In 2019, while working at a Family Dollar store in Philadelphia, prosecutors said Newell-Brown claimed she was "totally disabled" from a fall. The company paid her medical expenses, workers' compensation, and wage-loss benefits for $1,500 every two weeks for over two years, according to of…
Carroll
News
Non-Profit Employee Accused Of Stealing From Carroll County Organization: State's Attorney
A Frederick woman who schemed to defraud a non-profit in Westminster where she worked has been charged, the Carroll County State's Attorney's Office announced. Randi Lynn Ryan, 48, has been arrested and charged for an alleged scam targeting the Carroll County Arts Council, Inc. over the course of nearly two years. It is alleged that Ryan, while working as a financial coordinator for the non-profit, was issued a Bank of America credit card to use for the organization's business; however, an audit conducted in June 2023 found that Ryan was not compliant in turning over requested do…
North Orange
Police & Fire
New Windsor Man Accused Of Taking Money For Town Of Newburgh Home Improvements He Never Did
A Hudson Valley man has been charged with grand larceny for allegedly taking money from two people in return for home improvements which he never did. Orange County resident Gary Maldonado, age 42, of New Windsor, was arrested on Wednesday, Feb. 21, by the multi-agency Orange County White Collar Crime Task Force As alleged in charges filed in court, Maldonado induced two separate victims into giving him money for home improvement projects in the town of Newburgh. Maldonado failed to perform the work promised and did not refund the victims their money when asked to do so, sai…
Nassau
Politics
Not Laughing: George Santos Sues Jimmy Kimmel For 'Deceiving' Him Into Making Cameo Videos
Disgraced former New York Rep. George Santos is taking his beef with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel to federal court. In a lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York on Friday, Feb. 16, the ex-Republican lawmaker accused Kimmel of copyright infringement and fraud for a series of personalized videos the talk show host commissioned from him on the website Cameo. The 35-year-old Santos began selling video shout outs on the site following his historic ouster from Congress amid federal criminal charges. Earlier Report: US House Expels Nassau Rep. George Santos In Historic Vote K…
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