Midland Park NJ, A South Carolina man today admitted defrauding at least 20 individuals by soliciting investments in what he claimed were highly successful, algorithm-based trading pools in foreign currency derivatives (“forex”) and other financial instruments, and then using the bulk of the money for personal expenditures and to pay off other victims, Attorney for the United States Rachael Honig announced.
Trenton NJ, Senator Michael Testa called for the State Commission of Investigation (SCI) to look into allegations of impropriety that have been raised by whistleblowers and former employees at New Jersey’s Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Human Services (DHS).
Tenafly NJ, A Bergen County, New Jersey, was charged today for his role in a conspiracy to file phony tax returns in order to illegally obtain tax refunds, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Emmanuel A. Barrientos-Fermin, 38, of Tenafly, New Jersey, is charged in a three-count indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
by Cristina Miranda
Consumer Education Specialist, FTC
Ridgewood NJ, Yesterday some high-profile people had their Twitter accounts hacked by scammers who sent out fake tweets asking followers to send money using Bitcoin – a type of cryptocurrency or digital money.
Cryptocurrency scams are now a popular way for scammers to trick people into sending money. And they pop up in many ways. Most crypto scams can appear as emails trying to blackmail someone, online chain referral schemes, or bogus investment and business opportunities. But here’s what they all have in common – and what they have in common with yesterday’s Twitter hacks: A scammer wants you to send money, or make a payment, with Bitcoin or another type of cryptocurrency. Once you do, your money is gone, and there’s generally no way to get it back.
So if you see a tweet (or a text, email, or other message on social media) that tells you to pay with Bitcoin, you know that’s a scam. Other signs that something’s a scam? They might guarantee that you’ll make money (those guarantees are false); promise that you’ll double your money quickly (again, that’s always a fake promise); or say you’ll get free money in dollars or cryptocurrency (free money? Nope, not ever).
If you spot a cryptocurrency scam, report it immediately to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. For more information, check out What To Know About Cryptocurrency.
Ridgewood NJ, Concern over mail-in balloting is rising as the presidential election approaches. Last month, we highlighted California Governor Gavin Newsom’s brazen mail-in ballot scam: an executive order mandating mail-in ballots “to preserve public health in the face of the threat of Covid-19.” JudicialWatch challenged the executive order in federal court, prompting the state legislature to pass a law ensuring that mail-in balloting would take place.
In June in a response to an Open Public Records Act request to the Bergen County Clerk’s Office it was discovered that 710 Ridgewood voter ballots or approximately 15% were REJECTED in connection with the May 12, 2020 Board of Education, Board of Education Budget, and Village Council General Election.
NEWARK NJ, A Romanian man arrested in Germany admitted today to conspiring to engage in wire fraud and offering and selling unregistered securities in connection with his role in the BitClub Network, a cryptocurrency mining scheme worth at least $722 million, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Trenton NJ, The NJ Department of the Treasury is warning New Jersey residents to be careful when it comes to text messages that seem too good to be true. Scammers purporting to be from Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Administration (UPA) are sending fraudulent text messages to residents, asserting that unclaimed funds can be accessed by clicking a link.
Ridgewood NJ, in recent days the Ridgewood blog has been the target of “new” phishing scam . Phishing is the fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by disguising oneself as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. This new one claims the Ridgewood blog is claiming we are using copyrighted images .
CAMDEN NJ, The former owner of a construction company today admitted his role in defrauding a retirement plan set up by the company, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Joshua Ferrell, 34, of Chatsworth, New Jersey, the former owner of Indian Mills Contracting Services Inc. (Indian Mills), pleaded guilty plea by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez to an information charging him with one count of embezzlement and theft from an employee pension or welfare benefit plan or a fund connected with such plan established for the company’s employees.
Oradell NJ,Oradell Police are warning that an individual pretending to be a PSE&G employee is calling senior customers offering a bogus discount. The caller has an aggressive approach and requests customers POD ID. PSE&G will never ask for personal information over the phone unless you initiated the contact. If you think you may have been a victim of a scam, call 1-800-436-PSEG(7734).
Ridgewood NJ, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) announced Wednesday the launch of Operation Stolen Promise to combat COVID-19 related fraud and other criminal activity. The operation intensifies collaboration with multiple federal departments and agencies, along with business and industry representatives. Surging criminal activity surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic requires an equally robust investigative response to protect the American public.
Ridgewood NJ, Public Service Electric & Gas, New Jersey’s largest utility, is more committed than ever to the health and safety of its customers. A heightened sense of uncertainty throughout the world is emboldening phone scammers who impersonate utility employees and PSE&G urges customers to know the facts and protect themselves.
“In times like these, every challenge our households face is magnified,” said Fred Daum, executive director, PSE&G Customer Operations. “The heightened anxiety we’re feeling is perfect for scammers, whose preferred tactic is to make people panic at the thought of getting their power shut off. That’s why it’s important for people to know that, during this crisis, PSE&G is not shutting off power for non-payment due to financial burdens.”
Ridgewood NJ, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal, and New Jersey Acting State Comptroller Kevin D. Walsh today announced the formation of a joint federal-state task force to investigate and prosecute a wide range of misconduct arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, including the unlawful hoarding of medical supplies, price gouging, charity scams, procurement fraud, insurance fraud, phishing schemes, and false and misleading investment opportunities.
Glen Rock NJ, The Glen Rock Police Department is looking for the public’s help in identifying the female suspect pictured here. The suspect used the ID and credit account of a Glen Rock resident to purchase $1,445 worth of UGG Boots (10 pairs) from the Lord & Taylor store at the Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, NJ. This fraud occurred on 02/15/2020 at approximately 7:55 PM.
The suspect is described as a black female, approx 20 to 30 years old, wearing glasses and appears to have her hair braided.
Anyone who has information on this fraud or suspect is asked to please contact D/Sgt. James Calaski at 201-670-3948 or jcalaski@glenrockpolice.com
Ridgewood NJ , according to the Ridgewood Police Department , A north Brunswick resident reported they they received a call from what appeared to be the Ridgewood Police Departments phone number. The caller advised them that there was a warrant for their arrest and requested that they provide personal information.
This phone scam spoofs the Ridgewood Police Departments phone number. Spoofing is when a legitimate number appears in the victim’s caller ID, but the originating call is not from who they claim it is from. The Ridgewood Police Department will never call and ask for personal information on the phone or ask to for money to satisfy a warrant. If you receive a similar phone call hang up and call your local police department or contact the Ridgewood Police Department directly at 201-652-3900
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