Tag:

Identity theft

Pastor Who Arranged Sham Marriages Between Church Members, Foreign Nationals In MD Sentenced Pastor Who Arranged Sham Marriages Between Church Members, Foreign Nationals In MD Sentenced
Pastor Who Arranged Sham Marriages Between Church Members, Foreign Nationals In MD Sentenced The Maryland pastor who arranged dozens of sham marriages to recruit church members down on their luck to marry foreign nationals will spend more than a year in federal prison for perpetrating the scheme, officials say. Bowie resident Joshua Shonubi was sentenced this week to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to charges that include conspiracy to commit visa and marriage fraud. Prosecutors say that Shonubi, who was a paster at New Life City Church, "used his position of trust" to help further the scam, facilitating more than 60 fraudulent marriages and submitting "well over" 10…
Man Busted Trying To Open Account At Darien Bank With Fake ID, Police Say Man Busted Trying To Open Account At Darien Bank With Fake ID, Police Say
Man Busted Trying To Open Account At Darien Bank With Fake ID, Police Say Police nabbed a 46-year-old man who allegedly attempted to open an account at a Fairfield County bank with a fraudulent identification.  The incident occurred in Darien on Friday, April 12, at the TD Bank at 55 Post Road.  According to Sgt. Dan Skoumbros of the Darien Police, New York City resident Wesley Gabriel, age 46, of Brooklyn, was attempting to open a bank account with a current customer's identification and then attempted to leave the bank.  When officers spoke with Gabriel, he refused to identify himself and refused to answer any questions, Skoumbros said…
Florida Pals Spent 2 Years Breaking Into Cars At Fairfax County Parks: Cops Florida Pals Spent 2 Years Breaking Into Cars At Fairfax County Parks: Cops
Florida Pals Spent 2 Years Breaking Into Cars At Fairfax County Parks: Cops A pair of Florida pals were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins at numerous Fairfax County parks, police said. David Daniel Moraga-Nunez, 43 and Jonny Marcelo Sandoval-Barraza, 38, broke into countless vehicles between May 2022 and March 2024, stealing and using credit cards at various stores, county police said.  Nunez and Barraza were identified as suspects using surveillance footage, license plate reader technology, and a review of credit card transactions. Police say they broke into cars at Hemlock Park, Fountain Head Park, and Burke Lake Park. The pair …
ID Theft: Amityville Man Wore Surgical Masks, Used Fraudulent Credit Cards, Police Say ID Theft: Amityville Man Wore Surgical Masks, Used Fraudulent Credit Cards, Police Say
ID Theft: Amityville Man Wore Surgical Masks, Used Fraudulent Credit Cards, Police Say A Long Island man accused of identity theft is facing three felony charges after police say he wore surgical masks to make purchases. New York State Police said that in November 2022, investigators received a complaint about a fraudulent purchase from the North Fork True Value in Riverhead. Investigators used the surveillance videos to identify the suspect and connect him to the other crimes he had committed over the two years. After a lengthy investigation, the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested Anton S. Millsaps, age 34, of Amityville, and charged him with: …
Attempted Bank Fraud: 1 Suspect Captured, 1 On The Run In Nanuet Attempted Bank Fraud: 1 Suspect Captured, 1 On The Run In Nanuet
Attempted Bank Fraud: 1 Suspect Captured, 1 On The Run In Nanuet A 34-year-old man has been charged with felony grand larceny and identity theft after allegedly attempting to withdraw $45,000 from a bank account that did not belong to him. The incident occurred in Rockland County on Wednesday, April 10 at the Affinity Federal Credit Union in Nanuet. According to Detective Norman Peters with the Clarkstown Police, Hanlin Yang of Virginia and a woman arrived at the bank and attempted to make a money transfer of $45,000 from an account.  Peters said Yang and the woman became "agitated" and left the area as bank officials attempted to verify the identi…
Two Men Stole Checks From Mailboxes: Fairfield PD Two Men Stole Checks From Mailboxes: Fairfield PD
Two Men Stole Checks From Mailboxes: Fairfield PD Two men were arrested and charged with stealing checks from people's mailboxes in Fairfield on Thursday, April 4, police said. At 9:22 a.m. a resident on Glenroy Road South witnessed a vehicle pull up to their mailbox and remove an envelope containing a check meant to be picked up by the mailman, Fairfield police said. The vehicle then drove up to a second mailbox and stole their mail, police said.  Police located the vehicle on Sand Road near Hollywood Avenue, officers said. Jonathan Rosario, a 35-year-old Miami resident, provided officers with a false name and his accomplice, Byron C…
PA Fugitive Wanted Since 2018 Caught By Brigantine Police PA Fugitive Wanted Since 2018 Caught By Brigantine Police
PA Fugitive Wanted Since 2018 Caught By Brigantine Police A fugitive wanted in the Philadelphia area for more than five years was caught in Atlantic County, authorities said. Nyieem Ruff, 44, of Philadelphia, was arrested on Saturday, Mar. 23, the Brigantine Police Department said in a news release on Tuesday, Apr. 2. An officer stopped Ruff in a vehicle he was driving without any lights on at around 2:51 a.m. Investigators said Ruff gave the officer a name and "other biographical information" instead of a driver's license. Dispatchers checked national databases and couldn't find any information or a license matching the identity he provided. A s…
Woman Burglarizes Home On Same Arlington Block She Barricaded Herself In Months Ago, Police Say Woman Burglarizes Home On Same Arlington Block She Barricaded Herself In Months Ago, Police Say
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…
Gold-Bar Scam Totaling Nearly $1 Million Lands CA Man With Charges In Montgomery County: Police Gold-Bar Scam Totaling Nearly $1 Million Lands CA Man With Charges In Montgomery County: Police
Gold-Bar Scam Totaling Nearly $1 Million Lands CA Man With Charges In Montgomery County: Police A man who made nearly $1 million targeting elderly victims in a gold-bar scam was arrested in Montgomery County, authorities announced Friday, March 22. The investigation began in early March, when a victim reported being contacted by a man who identified himself a member of the Federal Trade Commission, MCPD said. The woman was advised that she had been the victim of an identity theft leading to a federal investigation involving drugs and money laundering.  She had been instructed to transfer all of her assets into gold bars to be picked up by a courier to be taken to an “FBI Agent” …
Woman Stalks Albany, Troy Victim For Months, Files False Child Abuse Claims, Police Say Woman Stalks Albany, Troy Victim For Months, Files False Child Abuse Claims, Police Say
Woman Stalks Albany, Troy Victim For Months, Files False Child Abuse Claims, Police Say A woman from the region is accused of stalking a person for months, stealing their identity, and wrongly accusing them of child abuse. Rensselaer County resident Nacirema Harris, age 28, of Troy, was arraigned on more than a dozen charges, including burglary and identity theft, in Albany County Court on Friday, March 8. New York State Police said troopers began investigating the case in January 2024. After determining that Harris had followed the victim in both Troy and Albany, they obtained a warrant to search her Troy residence. Further investigation determined that Harris targeted the v…
Spring City Identity Thief Stole Victims' Mail, Opened Credit Cards In Their Names: DA Spring City Identity Thief Stole Victims' Mail, Opened Credit Cards In Their Names: DA
Spring City Identity Thief Stole Victims' Mail, Opened Credit Cards In Their Names: DA A Spring City man is charged with more than 500 counts in two separate cases of alleged forgery, identity theft, and related offenses, according to the Chester County District Attorney's Office.  Joshua Hartmann, 41, stole mail from residents in Schuylkill Township, Phoenixville, Malvern, Tredyffrin, Upper Providence, and Lower Providence for months, prosecutors claim.  Authorities say he used the victims' information to change their addresses on file with government agencies, then stole their identities and opened credit cards in their names.  Tredyffrin…
George Santos Announces Comeback Bid For Suffolk County Congressional Seat: 'Off To The Races' George Santos Announces Comeback Bid For Suffolk County Congressional Seat: 'Off To The Races'
George Santos Announces Comeback Bid For Suffolk County Congressional Seat: 'Off To The Races' Disgraced former New York Rep. George Santos is mounting a comeback campaign. The Republican ex-lawmaker from Long Island – who was ousted from his 3rd District seat representing parts of Nassau County and Queens – announced a primary challenge against Rep. Nick LaLota for his 1st District seat. In a statement on X shared during President Biden’s State of the Union address Thursday night, March 7, Santos said New York hasn’t had “a real conservative represent them” since he left office “thanks to RINO, empty suits like Nick LaLota.” Earlier Report: Exiled Congressman Turned Reality …
Exiled Congressman Turned Reality TV Star? 2 George Santos Productions In Works, He Claims Exiled Congressman Turned Reality TV Star? 2 George Santos Productions In Works, He Claims
Exiled Congressman Turned Reality TV Star? 2 George Santos Productions In Works, He Claims If disgraced former New York congressman and admitted liar George Santos is to be believed, you haven’t seen the last of him. The Republican ex-lawmaker told City & State New York he’s been busy working on both a documentary and a reality TV show since being ousted from his 3rd District House seat representing parts of Nassau County and Queens. “So there’s just so many things that I’m working on now that I prefer to engage in instead of going into a messy primary to take on (newly sworn-in Democratic Rep.) Tom Suozzi,” Santos told the outlet. Earlier Report: Not Laughi…
Men Wanted For Putting ATM Skimmers In Galloway Township Wawa Men Wanted For Putting ATM Skimmers In Galloway Township Wawa
Men Wanted For Putting ATM Skimmers In Galloway Township Wawa Police in an Atlantic County township have released pictures of suspects wanted for adding skimming devices to ATMs in a gas station's convenience store. Galloway police said two men entered the Wawa on West White Horse Pike in the Pomona section of the township at around 7:39 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27. They were in the store for a "short period of time" and installed the skimmers on two ATMs, according to the Friday, Mar. 1 Facebook post. The devices were found by an ATM mechanic while performing routine maintenance. Police received a report about the skimmers on Thursday, Feb. 29. …
Darien Resident's IRS Payments Stolen Out Mailbox, Cashed By Thief, Police Say Darien Resident's IRS Payments Stolen Out Mailbox, Cashed By Thief, Police Say
Darien Resident's IRS Payments Stolen Out Mailbox, Cashed By Thief, Police Say A Fairfield County resident who mailed two checks to pay his taxes was surprised when he received word from the Internal Revenue Service about non-payment of his bill. The Darien resident then contacted the police in May 2023, who found that someone had stolen his checks out of his mailbox and cashed them with another name on the payee line. An investigation led Darien Police to the Morris County Correctional Center in New Jersey to arrest David Velazquez, age 28, of Warren, New Jersey. According to Darien Police Sgt. Dan Skoumbros, Velazquz had allegedly taken the checks out of the m…
Norwalk Woman Nabbed For Stealing, Cashing Checks In Westport, Police Say Norwalk Woman Nabbed For Stealing, Cashing Checks In Westport, Police Say
Norwalk Woman Nabbed For Stealing, Cashing Checks In Westport, Police Say A Fairfield County woman was nabbed for allegedly ripping off checks, altering them, and then cashing them.  Norwalk resident Joann Guzman, age 28, was arrested on Sunday, Feb. 25, for the incident that occurred in January. According to Westport Police Lt. Eric Woods, Westport Police initiated an investigation after a complaint was made concerning checks being stolen, altered, and cashed.  The investigation revealed that two neighbors were contacted by two different banks concerning checks that were being cashed against their accounts by the same person, Woods said…
Ex-Cons Who Tried To Shake Down Wayne Burglary Victim Caught With Guns: Police Ex-Cons Who Tried To Shake Down Wayne Burglary Victim Caught With Guns: Police
Ex-Cons Who Tried To Shake Down Wayne Burglary Victim Caught With Guns: Police Two ex-cons who demanded $1,000 for the return of a passport and Social Security card that were stolen from a Wayne home were found carrying a gun, a high-capacity magazine and the pilfered documents, authorities said. The victimized Chopin Drive resident kept one of the visitors talking after they suddenly showed up at his home and tried to shake him down early last week, Wayne Police Detective Capt. Dan Daly said on Monday, Feb. 26. Meanwhile, a relative called police. Officers Harrison Kirby and David Beltran got there instantly. They found Newark residents Wahid Floyd, 29, and Alquadir…
NJ Addiction Centers Victim Of Data Breach NJ Addiction Centers Victim Of Data Breach
NJ Addiction Centers Victim Of Data Breach Addition centers in five locations have suffered a data breach that may compromise patients' private information, officials said. Maryville, a nonprofit addition agency, is offering credit monitoring services for those who may have had their Social Security numbers and other private details exposed as a result of the incident, according to spokesman Bill Crowe. The centers affected are in Williamstown, Turnersville, Pemberton, Vineland and Franklinville. "We have no indication that any information has been misused for identity theft," the agency said. On or around August 22, 2023, Maryvil…
Bank Employee Used Position To Facilitate Elaborate Fraud Scheme, Prosecutors Say Bank Employee Used Position To Facilitate Elaborate Fraud Scheme, Prosecutors Say
Bank Employee Used Position To Facilitate Elaborate Fraud Scheme, Prosecutors Say A former bank employee from Maryland was convicted of using his position to facilitate an elaborate fraud scheme, prosecutors announced Tuesday, Feb. 20. Jalen Craig McMillan, 30, of Jessup, was convicted by a federal jury for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft on Friday, Feb. 16, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron said. Prosecutors laid out evidence during McMillan’s four-day trial of his intent to use his position as a “Member Service Representative” at a federal credit union to open accounts and loan transactions in t…
Fugitive Found With Crystal Meth, Brass Knuckles In Brigantine: Police Fugitive Found With Crystal Meth, Brass Knuckles In Brigantine: Police
Fugitive Found With Crystal Meth, Brass Knuckles In Brigantine: Police A man and woman from Pennsylvania were arrested after police found drugs and brass knuckles during a traffic stop, authorities said. Michal Ray, 47, of Morrisville, PA, and Nicole Olenick, 47, also of PA, were arrested on Monday, Feb. 12. The Brigantine Police Department announced their arrests on Tuesday, Feb. 13. At around 10:45 a.m., a Brigantine officer stopped a vehicle for speeding near the intersection of 31st Street and Bayshore Avenue. The officer noticed Ray was not wearing his seatbelt in the front passenger's seat. Ray and Olenick gave identification to the officer who not…
$8K Heist: Teen Nabbed For Stealing Atlantic Beach Check, Police Said $8K Heist: Teen Nabbed For Stealing Atlantic Beach Check, Police Said
$8K Heist: Teen Nabbed For Stealing Atlantic Beach Check, Police Said An 18-year-old man was arrested months after he allegedly stole a mailed check from Long Island and deposited it for himself. Nassau County Police announced it had arrested Andrew Herrera, age 18, for his alleged role in stealing an Atlantic Beach check nearly a year before, in March 2023. The victim, a 69-year-old man, first mailed the $8,000 check from the Atlantic Beach Post Office, at 1848 Park Street. Months later, in July 2023, the man was notified that his check had never been delivered. When he went to the bank the next day, the victim found out the check had been deposited int…
ID Thief Admits Stealing $10K From Suffolk County Residents ID Thief Admits Stealing $10K From Suffolk County Residents
ID Thief Admits Stealing $10K From Suffolk County Residents An admitted identity thief is facing prison time after stealing nearly $10,000 from two Long Island victims. Donald Archibald, age 44, of the Bronx, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of grand larceny and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Friday, Feb. 9. Prosecutors said Archibald obtained a Suffolk County resident’s address and personal information from the dark web in April 2023 and used it to make a fake driver’s license with that person’s information but his own photo. He then went to an M&T Bank in Bridgeport, Connecticut and used the phony ID to withdraw $2,000 from the v…
Fugitive Set Seat Belt On Fire Inside Police Cruiser Following Arrest In Arlington: Officials Fugitive Set Seat Belt On Fire Inside Police Cruiser Following Arrest In Arlington: Officials
Fugitive Set Seat Belt On Fire Inside Police Cruiser Following Arrest In Arlington: Officials A firebug in Virginia wanted by federal authorities did not go down quietly when police officers in Arlington attempted to arrest him for shoplifting from several area businesses, according to officials. Derrick Giles, 30, a fugitive from justice, is back behind bars following an explosive incident with officers on Tuesday afternoon on South Hayes Street, police say. Officers from the Arlington County Police Department were called shortly before 11 a.m. on Feb. 6 to the 1200 block of South Hayes Street to investigate a reported larceny in progress.  It is alleged that Giles walked int…
Wilton Man Nabbed For Possession Of Child Porn, Police Say Wilton Man Nabbed For Possession Of Child Porn, Police Say
Wilton Man Nabbed For Possession Of Child Porn, Police Say A Fairfield County man has been charged with possession of child pornography after police allegedly found 153 video files containing child sex abuse during a search of his home. Eduardo Barajas-Mendoza, age 37 of Wilton, was arrested on Tuesday, Jan. 30 by the Wilton Police following an intensive investigation. According to Lt. Anna Tornello, of the Wilton Police, the department received information from the Connecticut State Police task force reporting that the distribution of child sexual abuse material may have occurred in Wilton. A search warrant was completed for the IP Addr…
Northport Man Impersonated NBA Star On Phone, More In Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Northport Man Impersonated NBA Star On Phone, More In Multi-Million Dollar Fraud
Northport Man Impersonated NBA Star On Phone, More In Multi-Million Dollar Fraud A Long Island man who used his medical billing companies for a massive scam now owes over $300 million in restitution after he made thousands of phony phone calls and more. The United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) announced 54-year-old East Northport resident Matthew James’ sentence for the scheme, during which he pretended to be both an NBA player and an NFL partner, on Friday, Feb. 2. James was the operator of multiple medical billing companies that provided billing services for physicians throughout the United States, mainly plastic surgeons. As a third-party biller, James would submi…
Woman Charged With ID Theft After Trying To Withdraw $6K In Cash At TD Bank In Darien: Police Woman Charged With ID Theft After Trying To Withdraw $6K In Cash At TD Bank In Darien: Police
Woman Charged With ID Theft After Trying To Withdraw $6K In Cash At TD Bank In Darien: Police A 43-year-old Connecticut woman was charged with identity theft and other crimes after allegedly attempting to withdraw $6,500 in cash at a bank in Fairfield County. Nicole Brayman of New London, was charged on Saturday, Jan. 20 in Darien. According to Sgt. Dan Skoumbros of the Darien Police, officers responded to TD Bank located at 55 Post Road on a report of a woman attempting to withdraw cash using stolen identity information.  An officer located Brayman in the parking lot and while speaking with her she said she had a crack pipe in her bag and that she left a fraudu…
Lansdale Man Used Photo Of Son's Former Teacher In Soliciting Sex From 13-Year-Old: Affidavit Lansdale Man Used Photo Of Son's Former Teacher In Soliciting Sex From 13-Year-Old: Affidavit
Lansdale Man Used Photo Of Son's Former Teacher In Soliciting Sex From 13-Year-Old: Affidavit Authorities have released chats between undercover officers posing as a 13-year-old girl and a Montgomery County man asking for sexual favors. Thomas Bowes, 39, of Lansdale, became the center of an investigation in October 2023, following a tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, according to the criminal complaint obtained by Daily Voice. ** WARNING: The following news story contains disturbing and graphic information that depicts the sexual abuse of small children ** Montgomery County investigators created profiles on the social media app Whisper, and began engaging with…
Prince George's County Scammers Accused Of Stealing $5M In Checks From The Mail: Feds Prince George's County Scammers Accused Of Stealing $5M In Checks From The Mail: Feds
Prince George's County Scammers Accused Of Stealing $5M In Checks From The Mail: Feds A group of five from Maryland has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection to an alleged multi-million dollar stolen check scam in the region. On Monday, authorities announced that five people - all from Prince George's County - will face charges for a fraud scheme that saw them take more than 600 checks with a face value greater than $5 million. Those charged:  Tianna "Mendoza" Cosby, 23, of Upper Marlboro; Marche Sisco, 26, of Suitland; Tommi Cosby, 21, of District Heights; Biniah Carter, 24, of Upper Marlboro; Zion Oluwademilade Adeduqon, 22, of Bowie. Tianna Cosby and …
Berks Woman Stole Thousands From Elderly Victim's Bank Account, Prosecutors Say Berks Woman Stole Thousands From Elderly Victim's Bank Account, Prosecutors Say
Berks Woman Stole Thousands From Elderly Victim's Bank Account, Prosecutors Say A Reading woman is accused of defrauding a senior out of thousands of dollars, says the Berks County District Attorney's Office.  Tracy Hoffman, 58, is charged with felony financial exploitation of an older adult, identity theft, forgery, and related counts, according to prosecutors.  Investigators said Hoffman issued multiple checks from the victim's personal bank account without her knowledge, allegedly withdrawing more than $9,000. She's also accused of making over $12,000 in authorized credit card transactions in the victim's name, authorities said.  Detectives believe t…
'Public Drug Gathering' Interrupted By Deputies Outside Stafford Storage Facility: Sheriff 'Public Drug Gathering' Interrupted By Deputies Outside Stafford Storage Facility: Sheriff
'Public Drug Gathering' Interrupted By Deputies Outside Stafford Storage Facility: Sheriff What started as a "public drug gathering" ended poorly for three people who were busted by deputies in Stafford County after a concerned citizen saw something and said something, officials say. Over the weekend, three people in a Volkswagen were caught red-handed doing drugs outside an Extra Space Storage facility on Richmond Highway, prompting a response from the Stafford County Sheriff's Office. The incident was reported shortly after 10 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 14.  Upon arrival, deputies found the same vehicle reported by the caller in the parking lot, and when they approached, offici…
Scammer Posing As Priest, Soliciting Gift Cards From Victims In Putnam County: Police Scammer Posing As Priest, Soliciting Gift Cards From Victims In Putnam County: Police
Scammer Posing As Priest, Soliciting Gift Cards From Victims In Putnam County: Police Authorities in the Hudson Valley are continuing to warn residents of a scammer who has been posing as a local priest to convince victims to purchase gift cards for them.  The warning was issued on Wednesday, Jan. 10 by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, which said the scammer is continuing to "exploit the generosity of our community."  According to the Sheriff's Office, the scammer has been posing as a local priest over phone calls to solicit gift cards from victims. Those who receive such a call are warned to verify the identity of the person or organization claiming to be on th…