$250K Allegedly Drained From PA Nonprofit By Volunteer Treasurer: Montco DA
A former volunteer treasurer is accused of draining nearly a quarter-million dollars from a Pennsylvania nonprofit, using the organization’s money to fund vacations, luxury purchases, and personal expenses, Montgomery County prosecutors announced on Monday, Feb. 9.
Michael Fantuzzo, 40, of Lower Burrell, was charged after investigators say he stole more than $246,000 from the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association while serving as the organization’s treasurer, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. The nonprofit was headquartered in Plymouth Meeting at the time…
How To Avoid Lottery, Prize Scams: You Didn’t Enter, But You 'Won'?
A surprise message says you hit the jackpot, but there’s a catch: you must pay a fee or hand over personal details to claim it.
That’s the hallmark of a lottery or prize scam—designed to separate you from your money and identity.
These schemes often arrive by email, text, phone, or mail and lean on pressure tactics to force quick decisions.
Scammers frequently demand “taxes,” “processing,” or “shipping” upfront, or ask for sensitive data to “verify” you.
Legitimate lotteries do not require payment to release a prize, and you should never be asked for your Social Security…
Nassau Cop Stole $200K From Sick Colleague, Blew It On OnlyFans, Gambling: DA
A Nassau County police officer is accused of stealing $200,000 from a fellow officer recovering from illness and spending it on personal expenses.
Leonard Cagno, 39, of Oakdale, was arraigned on grand larceny charges in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, Sept. 17.
Cagno, a Nassau County police officer and owner of BW Media Consulting, LLC, allegedly convinced another officer to invest $200,000 in his private company between February and June 2024, prosecutors said.
He allegedly claimed the money would be used as a business investment but instead spent the funds on personal expenses. …
Duo Stole $2.8M From Missing Old Brookville Couple’s Bank Accounts, DOJ Says
Two Queens residents are accused of conspiring to steal nearly $3 million from the bank accounts of a Long Island couple who vanished months ago.
Yinye “Roy” Wang of College Point and Roslyn, and Qiuju Wu, of Flushing, are charged with conspiring to defraud a financial institution, according to an indictment unsealed in Brooklyn federal court on Tuesday, Sept. 9.
The case centers on Old Brookville residents Peishuan Fan, 48, and JuanJuan Zwang, 44, who have been missing since late March, as Daily Voice reported.
An investigation found that between June and August 2025, Wang and Wu used fo…
Ex-Police Officer Extorts $9K From Salon Owner In Montgomery: Here's Her Fate
A former police officer who admitted to extorting thousands of dollars from an Orange County beauty salon has been sentenced, prosecutors announced.
Ally Thueson, 33, was sentenced on Thursday, July 31, to five years of probation in connection with the scheme, the Orange County District Attorney's Office announced on Monday, Aug. 4.
According to the DA's Office, Thueson, a former police officer, had been employed by a beauty salon in Montgomery. In May 2024, she threatened the business's owner that she would make false statements on the internet that would harm the salon un…
Newark Woman Hit With 29 Charges In $600K Real Estate, Rent Scam Spree
A Newark woman is facing nearly 30 charges for allegedly stealing more than $600,000 through a string of frauds across New Jersey, authorities said.
Joyce Kirkland, 59, was arrested at her home on the morning of Wednesday, June 25, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel said Friday. Kirkland was charged with 29 counts, including theft, money laundering, forgery, and criminal impersonation.
Prosecutors say Kirkland forged names on deeds, falsified documents, and stole from the State of New Jersey’s Emergency Rental Assistance Programs, taking more than $300,000. She also allegedly forged …
Melville Exec Stole $1.6M To Fund Lavish Wedding, Failed Restaurant, DOJ Says
A former Long Island credit supervisor is accused of stealing over $1 million from customer refund accounts to pay for his wedding, luxury travel, and launch a failed restaurant venture, prosecutors said.
Tony Ream, 33, of Greenville, South Carolina, was arraigned on wire fraud and money laundering charges in Central Islip federal court on Friday, May 30.
During his time as a credit supervisor for a Melville-based medical and dental supply company, Ream used his position to secretly divert corporate funds into a personal bank account he controlled, prosecutors alleged.
As supervisor, he ha…
Teaneck Volunteer Stole $36K From Non-Profit: Prosecutor
A Teaneck woman is accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from a Bergen County non-profit using fake checks and a stolen identity, prosecutors said.
Karen A. McEvoy, 57, was arrested on Friday, May 30, and charged with theft by deception, forgery, and impersonation, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.
An investigation began in February 2025, when the Teaneck Police Department contacted the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit about an alleged theft at a non-profit based in Bergen County.
Investigators learned that McEvoy, who had been volunteering…
Ex-Motorcycle Shop Manager From Toms River Steals $27K From Employer: Prosecutor
A former general manager at a Monmouth County motorcycle dealership has been charged with stealing more than $27,000 from her employer, authorities announced.
Chelsea A. Marra-Kaufmann, 36, of Toms River, received three extra paychecks in late 2022—nearly $6,000 in total—without approval, and never reported the overpayment, Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said Friday, May 2.
Investigators also allege she bounced a $3,300 check for a motorcycle and disguised it as bank fees, according to officials. In another case in 2023, she allegedly skipped an $18,000 deposit and used internal t…
Ex-Church Bookkeeper Embezzled $80K From Selden Parish, DA Says
A woman who once handled the books at a Long Island church embezzled nearly $80,000 from the parish, prosecutors alleged.
Stacey Hirsch, 48, formerly of Centereach and now living in Saint Lucie, Florida, was arraigned on grand larceny charges in Suffolk County Court on Friday, May 2, after being extradited from Florida.
Hirsch served as the bookkeeper for Hope Lutheran Church on Dare Road in Selden, according to her Facebook profile. Between June 2022 and May 2023, she wrote unauthorized checks to herself and her husband from the church’s account — then used the money to pay off credi…
Garfield Travel Agent Stole $896K From 82 Clients, 3 Friends She Impersonated: Prosecutor
A Bergen County woman is facing a laundry list of charges after allegedly stealing nearly $900,000 through identity theft and bogus travel bookings, authorities said.
Bhavna Anand, 39, of Garfield, was arrested on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Saddle Brook following a months-long investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, according to Prosecutor Mark Musella.
It began in May 2024, when the Lodi Police Department flagged an alleged theft scheme involving Anand.
Investigators say that between January 2017 and Dece…
California Woman Admits To $800,000 Fraud: Morris County Prosecutor
A 63-year-old California woman pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Jan. 21 to defrauding a Hanover Township resident out of more than $800,000, authorities said.
In 2023, Anna Marie Bustamante posed as an authorized vendor when the victim sent her $806,727.92, via a bank account that was made to resemble the bank account of the authorized vendor, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office said.
As part of her plea agreement with prosecutors, Bustamante is expected to be sentenced to 364 days in the Morris County Correctional Center as a condition of probation, authorities said.
The victi…
$145M Scheme: Cortlandt Manor Man Known As 'Magician' Admits To One Of Largest Ever Frauds
A Northern Westchester man who earned the nickname “The Magician” for his ability to slash tax bills has pleaded guilty to orchestrating a massive $145 million fraud scheme that spanned a decade, federal officials announced.
Rafael Alvarez, age 61, of Cortlandt Manor, entered the plea in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday, Dec. 17, after being charged with conspiracy to defraud the US and aiding the preparation of false tax returns, according to Edward Y. Kim, Acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Alvarez, the CEO and owner of ATAX, a Bronx-based tax preparation bu…
$4.4M Medicaid Fraud Scheme: Five In Orange, Saratoga Counties Plead Guilty, NY AG Says
Five Hudson Valley and Capital Region residents and seven transportation companies have admitted to stealing millions from Medicaid.
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Thursday, Dec. 5, that five have pleaded guilty to stealing more than $4.4 million from New York’s Medicaid program through fake billing, illegal kickbacks, and engaging in money laundering and other fraudulent schemes to conceal their crimes.
Muhammad Rizwan Khan, 38, Muhammad Usman Khan, 40, and Farhan Khan, 29, all of Orange County, and their related companies pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Dec. 4, in Or…
