Post by Dominiko on Jan 21, 2011 19:02:41 GMT -5
Livingston detectives have broken up a credit card fraud ring operating out of Macy’s at the Livingston Mall, police said on Monday.
Five people have been arrested. The thieves allegedly used stolen identities to open credit card accounts and then used the instant credit to buy Macy's merchandise.
Livingston police believe the local thefts may be the tip of the iceberg. “This is a big ring,” said Det. Sgt. Anthony Dippold. “We suspect them of other credit card frauds all over the place.”
The ring used stolen credit card information to set up 24 accounts for instant credit at Macy’s. The credit provided up to $2,000 on each account to be spent at the store.
An employee of Macy’ was among those charged. India Rainey, 25, of Newark reportedly opened the accounts while working in the cosmetics department. Macy’s was unaware of the fraud, and Rainey had been rewarded by the retailer for the high number of accounts she opened, Dippold said.
Last Thursday, after receiving a tip the ring was operating at Macy’s, Livingston police set up video surveillance in the cosmetics department. They observed Rainey setting up instant credit accounts for two men allegedly using fake identifies.
Police say the identities were stolen from people living in New Jersey and also from as far away as Michigan, Ohio and California. "Some of the victims don't know that they're victims yet," Dippold said.
Police have not set a specific dollar figure to the amount stolen, but estimate it is between $40,000 and $50,000, Dippold said.
Rainey and members of the supposed ring – the two men from inside the store and two others waiting in a car -- were arrested and charged with credit card fraud, theft, and identity fraud, Dippold said.
Rainey was released on $25,000 bail. Members of the alleged ring included Michael Babalola, 30, of Newark, and Justin Leak, 30, of Irvington, were held in lieu of $25,000 bail at the Essex County jail. Oladapo Araromi, 24, of Union, was released on $25,000 bail. Obafemi Awe, 25, of Elizabeth, the driver, was released on $1,000 bail.
The charges have been given to the Essex County Prosecutor’s office for possible review by a grand jury, Dippold said.
The investigation is continuing. The ring is suspected of obtaining credit for purchases at the Short Hills Mall, including $10,000 from the Apple store, Dippold said.
Source: livingston.patch.com/articles/police-crack-credit-card-ring
Five people have been arrested. The thieves allegedly used stolen identities to open credit card accounts and then used the instant credit to buy Macy's merchandise.
Livingston police believe the local thefts may be the tip of the iceberg. “This is a big ring,” said Det. Sgt. Anthony Dippold. “We suspect them of other credit card frauds all over the place.”
The ring used stolen credit card information to set up 24 accounts for instant credit at Macy’s. The credit provided up to $2,000 on each account to be spent at the store.
An employee of Macy’ was among those charged. India Rainey, 25, of Newark reportedly opened the accounts while working in the cosmetics department. Macy’s was unaware of the fraud, and Rainey had been rewarded by the retailer for the high number of accounts she opened, Dippold said.
Last Thursday, after receiving a tip the ring was operating at Macy’s, Livingston police set up video surveillance in the cosmetics department. They observed Rainey setting up instant credit accounts for two men allegedly using fake identifies.
Police say the identities were stolen from people living in New Jersey and also from as far away as Michigan, Ohio and California. "Some of the victims don't know that they're victims yet," Dippold said.
Police have not set a specific dollar figure to the amount stolen, but estimate it is between $40,000 and $50,000, Dippold said.
Rainey and members of the supposed ring – the two men from inside the store and two others waiting in a car -- were arrested and charged with credit card fraud, theft, and identity fraud, Dippold said.
Rainey was released on $25,000 bail. Members of the alleged ring included Michael Babalola, 30, of Newark, and Justin Leak, 30, of Irvington, were held in lieu of $25,000 bail at the Essex County jail. Oladapo Araromi, 24, of Union, was released on $25,000 bail. Obafemi Awe, 25, of Elizabeth, the driver, was released on $1,000 bail.
The charges have been given to the Essex County Prosecutor’s office for possible review by a grand jury, Dippold said.
The investigation is continuing. The ring is suspected of obtaining credit for purchases at the Short Hills Mall, including $10,000 from the Apple store, Dippold said.
Source: livingston.patch.com/articles/police-crack-credit-card-ring
