the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Edgewater NJ, A Bergen County, New Jersey, man appeared in court today on charges of mail fraud related to a scheme through which he submitted thousands of false insurance claims to courier delivery service companies, resulting in a loss of $1.7 million, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Enrico DiCaprio, a/k/a “Sergio Leone,” a/k/a “Hakan Arikan,” 57, of Edgewater, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of mail fraud. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Beginning in December 2016 and continuing to July 2019, DiCaprio devised and maintained a scheme to defraud the victims, two international courier delivery service companies. Using various aliases and entity names, DiCaprio allegedly submitted thousands of false insurance claims for lost, damaged, and stolen items shipped by the victims. The items were not, in fact, lost, damaged, or stolen.
In response to the fraudulent claims, the victim companies issued reimbursement checks to DiCaprio via the U.S. Postal Service, which were then deposited into his bank accounts. DiCaprio has received approximately $1.7 million in checks from the victims.
The count of mail fraud carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of James Buthorn, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Repole of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit in Newark.
The charge and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defense counsel: Saverio Viggiano Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark