2024.12.17 Woman pleads guilty in federal court to gift card scam
CONCORD, N.H. — A woman who helped obtain millions of dollars in fraudulent gift cards will stay in jail as she waits to be sentenced.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the case was part of a conspiracy that spread overseas to China involving about $100 million in fraudulently obtained goods nationwide.
Naxin Wu pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Prosecutors said she was personally responsible for acquiring and transferring $1.4 million worth of fraudulent gift cards.
Prosecutors said the scheme involved using illegal means to obtain the cards, which were then used to buy Apple products. Those products were then shipped overseas.
As News 9 Investigates reported exclusively in July, many of those goods were stored in a warehouse in Salem. The U.S. Attorney’s Office put the value of those goods at about $8 million.
During the hearing, defense attorneys said Wu at first didn’t know the cards were fraudulently obtained. Once she learned they were illegally obtained, she continued to participate in the scheme, prosecutors said.
Three alleged co-conspirators have also been charged in connection with the investigation, and prosecutors said more people will face charges.
Wu is scheduled to be sentenced on April 1 and could face up to 20 years in prison.
2024.12.17 Disgraced founders of Bitwise in Fresno sentenced to prison following fraud convictions
Jake Soberal and Irma Olguin Jr., the disgraced co-founders and co-CEOs of Bitwise Industries, were sentenced Tuesday to federal prison for their roles in masterminding a fraud scheme that bilked tens of millions of dollars from investors and lenders.
After hearing speeches of contrition from Soberal and Olguin, Judge John Coughenour ruled that Soberal will spend 132 months, or 11 years, in prison for his guilty plea and convictions of one count of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Olguin was sentenced to 108 months (nine years) in federal prison.
Each will have 90 days before they have to report to U.S. marshals to begin their prison terms. Coughenour also ordered that Soberal and Olguin will be subject to three years of supervised release following the completion of their time in prison.
Soberal is 38 years old and will be 49 if he serves the entirety of the prison sentence. Olguin, 43, will be 51 at the end of her prison term.
The sentencing marks the conclusion of the criminal case that was sparked when Bitwise Industries abruptly collapsed over the Memorial Day weekend of 2023, laying off all 900 of its employees without advance notice. The Fresno-based company was born 10 years earlier with a vision of providing technology training for underrepresented people, offer technology services for local businesses, and lease space in its buildings for entrepreneurs and start-ups.
Coughenour said that Soberal was receiving a longer prison sentence because of his standing as an attorney and member of the State Bar.
In a packed Fresno courtroom, the disgraced co-founders of Bitwise Industries on Tuesday openly admitted to lying to their employees, investors, families and the community in order to keep a multi-million dollar fraud scheme alive.
The lawyers are hoping the judge also takes into consideration the tough upbringing of Soberal and Olguin, who lived through childhood trauma to become leaders, innovators and role models in the community.
“Ms. Olguin’s journey from poverty to accidental opportunity in the technology industry to leading an exciting technology company in the heart of the Central Valley inspired many who could relate to her experiences and see themselves potentially reaching for a better life,” according to court filings. “Though Ms. Olguin was not interested in the limelight, she was keenly aware of the responsibility of telling her story and using her lived experience to inspire others. The company adopted the slogan ‘No one belongs here more than you’ to emphasize the idea that everyone was welcome at Bitwise and that people of all talents and backgrounds were encouraged to try.”
Prosecutors allege that Bitwise appealed to “social impact investors” who wanted to see their money promote certain social values while also generating significant returns. But when the money from the social impact investors began to dry up, they turned to lenders and others.
In a text message exchange obtained by investigators, Soberal and Olguin appear to reveal that they were “aware of the gravity of their misconduct, approved of it and sometimes relished it.”
“They boasted when they tricked someone into giving them more money and talked about how strong it made them feel,” according to court filings.
One month before Bitwise imploded, Soberal texted Olguin about the positive feedback the company was getting.
“People just rave about watching us do good work and being for us. Old, white, conservative, rich dudes, raving about our crazy, money-losing, progressive ideas,” Soberal texted, according to court filings.
While prosecutors acknowledge the defendants cooperated with authorities and admitted their guilt early on in the investigation, they are suspicious of the theory that they use fraud as a means to keep people employed. They took advantage of their employees.
“They even misappropriated their employees’ 401(k) contributions and solicited the employees’ friends and family members,” according to court filings “Such behavior belies any contention by the defendants that their primary aim in committing the fraud was to protect employees’ jobs. In reality, the defendants were consumed by their own delusions of grandeur and resorted to Ponzi scheme tactics to prop up Bitwise until the weight of their crimes caused the company to collapse.”
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2024.12.17 Duo hit with 50 felony charges for planting altered gift cards in Reston store
Two California men were arrested for an alleged gift card fraud scheme in Reston, according to Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) officials.
On December 11 at 5:21, FCPD officers say that they observed a man placing “altered” Visa gift cards on the sales rack of a store on the 12100 block of Sunset Hill Road in Reston.
Haijun Qin, 36, of California, was arrested as he attempted to leave the store. Officers took Qin into custody and found at least 22 altered gift cards in his possession.
According to police, Qin committed fraud the day before at a different store location.
Haoran Yue, 35, also of California, was found in a nearby vehicle. The car contained evidence consistent with fraudulent activity, according to FCPD officials.
The pair altered over 2,000 in gift cards, police claim.
Qin was charged with 22 counts of Possession of a Credit Card Forgery Device, 22 counts of Credit Card Forgery, and Burglarious Tools. Yue was charged with three counts of Credit Card Forgery, Possession of a Credit Card Forgery Device, and Burglarious Tools.
Yue and Qun are both being held without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.
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2024.12.17 Man defrauded Quincy residents of over $10K in insurance scam, police say
QUINCY – A Morton, Illinois, man has been arrested in Treasure Island, Florida, after he defrauded at least 10 individuals in Quincy by claiming to be an insurance adjuster doing roof repair following a recent hailstorm, according to police.
Police reported Monday that 48-year-old Scott A. Lennington was arrested by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and the Treasure Island Police Department on Dec. 13.
According to Quincy Police, detectives began an investigation on Lennington in June. Police stated Lennington claimed to be an insurance adjuster doing roof repair and would allegedly work with the victim’s insurance company to get a claim for roof damage, but never return to do the work. He would then forge the victims’ names on the checks.
It is believed that Lennington stole over $10,000 from Quincy residents. Quincy Police learned that Lennington had traveled to Florida after the recent hurricanes.
Lennington is lodged in the Pinellas County Jail and is believed to have warrants out of other areas for similar offenses. The estimated loss is alleged to be nearly $225,000.
2024.12.16 Suspect, 18, accused in Pay-Less thefts
An 18-year-old man faces theft charges after he allegedly shoplifted at a Pay-Less supermarket.
On Dec. 12, two suspects were detained by loss prevention staff from Pay-Less supermarket at Micronesia Mall. One of the suspects was identified as Dean Cepeda, 18, and the other was a 15-year-old female.
According to a magistrate’s complaint filed in the Superior Court of Guam, the suspects were detained after they were recognized by a loss prevention officer. Guam Police Department officers then viewed security footage from a previous day, which showed a male and female entering the store together, putting items in a bag and leaving without attempting to pay.
“The male’s yellow bag was filled with items. The loss prevention officer provided receipts for the stolen items from both incidents, which totaled $389.95,” charging documents stated.
When GPD met with the suspects, the 15-year-old girl, with her mother present, told police that she, Cepeda and two others “went into Pay-Less, split into pairs, and took items from inside without paying,” the complaint stated.
“(The minor) told police she, Cepeda and the others had planned ahead of time how to take the items from the store. On Dec. 5, 2024, they drove to the store around midnight and placed items in a reusable bag before leaving. The second incident occurred on Dec. 9, 2024, in the afternoon. On that occasion, she, Cepeda and the same individuals from the previous incident took gift bags from the front of the store, filled them up, and left without paying,” according to court documents.
Cepeda was then interviewed and corroborated the 15-year-old girl’s statements and allegedly admitted to taking items from Pay-Less on Dec. 5 and Dec. 9.
Cepeda was charged with retail theft as a misdemeanor.
2024.12.15 Two men caught stealing catalytic converters from cars in NW Houston
Two men were arrested after they were caught by authorities in the process of stealing catalytic converters from vehicles in northwest Houston.
Last week, on Dec. 11, deputies with Harris County Pct. 4 Constable Mark Herman’s Office and the Houston Metro Police Department responded to a theft report at the Metro Park and Ride at 25000 Northwest Freeway.
When they arrived, they found two men in the process of stealing catalytic converters off of cars. When they saw the officers, they attempted to drive away from the scene. However, authorities were quick to track them down and place them under arrest.
In a search of their vehicle, investigators found three stolen catalytic converters and a handheld power saw. They also found guns and illegal drugs in the car.
Ledarion McCray, 22, and William Anderson, 20, were arrested and charged with theft and narcotics offenses. Anderson was also wanted on previous felony warrants related to theft and organized crime.
McCray’s bond was set at $25,000, while Anderson is still awaiting bond.
2024.12.14 Redding police arrest suspect after attempted escape from Target theft scene
REDDING, Calif. — The Redding Police Department (RPD) arrested a suspect who attempted to flee after being caught stealing from Target in Redding.
RPD said that around 11:15 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, their officers responded to the Target on Dana Drive in Redding for reports of a theft in progress. Staff told police that the suspect had loaded up a shopping cart full of merchandise and was preparing to leave the premises without paying.
Loss-prevention staff kept a visual on the suspect whole they waited for police. The suspect left the store and headed for the parking lot where he was loading the stolen goods into a vehicle when police arrived.
RPD said that upon their arrival, the suspect ignored commands to stop and began to flee on foot through the parking lot, across Churn Creek Road, and into the Food Maxx parking lot. This intiated a foot chase where the officer was able to outrun the suspect and he was detained without further incident.
The suspect was later identified as 32-year-old Shahn Colegrove-Perry of Hoopa, according to RPD. Police said that a subsequent inventory of the stolen merchandise confirmed it exceeded $500 in value. Colegrove-Perry also had an active warrant out of Humboldt County for being under the influence of a controlled substance. He was transported and booked into the Shasta County Jail on charges of shoplifting, resisting arrest and his outstanding warrant.
2024.12.13 Nigerian National Extradited to Nebraska for Wire Fraud Charges
Nigerian National Extradited to Nebraska for Wire Fraud Charges
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced the extradition of Abiola Kayode, 37, from Nigeria to the District of Nebraska.
The extradition follows a Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud indictment filed against Kayode in August 2019.
This case highlights international cooperation in combating online fraud. Kayode, who was arrested by law enforcement authorities in the Republic of Ghana in April 2023 at the request of the U.S., was surrendered to FBI special agents.
He made his initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson on December 11, 2024, where he was ordered to remain detained pending trial.
Allegations against Kayode center on his involvement in a sophisticated Business Email Compromise (BEC) scheme that operated from January 2015 to September 2016.
His co-conspirators allegedly posed as senior executives from targeted companies, using spoofed email accounts to direct unwitting employees to make wire transfers. The fraudulent activities reportedly defrauded businesses in Nebraska and elsewhere of over $6 million.
The indictment alleges that Kayode played a crucial role by providing bank account information to his co-conspirators. These accounts, often belonging to victims of internet romance scams, were used to funnel the illicit proceeds.
Several of Kayode’s co-conspirators have already faced justice. Adewale Aniyeloye, who was involved in sending fraudulent emails, was sentenced to 96 months imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution of $1,570,938.05.
Pelumi Fawehinimi, a bank account facilitator, received a 72-month sentence with restitution totaling $1,014,159.60. Onome Ijomone, extradited from Poland, was sentenced to 60 months in prison and restitution of $508,934.40. Recently, Alex Ogunshakin was sentenced to 45 months’ imprisonment following his extradition from Nigeria.
The FBI, along with international partners, remains committed to dismantling cybercriminal networks. “Our message to the remaining co-conspirators is clear: we are coming for you,” said FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel.
This case underscores the ongoing efforts of the FBI, DOJ, and international law enforcement to bring cybercriminals to justice.
This case was investigated by the FBI, with significant assistance from the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs in securing Kayode’s extradition. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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2024.12.12 Wolcott police arrest NY man for crypto scam that cost victim $60K
Suspect was in the country on an expired student visa, police say
WOLCOTT, CT (WFSB) – A man with a New York address was charged my Wolcott police with larceny and telephone fraud for a cryptocurrency scam.
Police identified the suspect as 28-year-old Xiallong Wang of Flushing, NY.
Xiallong was arrested on Dec. 6.
Wolcott police said Xiallong was involved in a scam that uses a fake “BingX” website that supposedly transfers cash into cryptocurrency in order to purchase gold.
“We learned that a male victim was contacted via random text message by a female, who enticed the victim into an online relationship,” Wolcott police said. “The female instructed the victim to invest in gold by utilizing the fraudulent BingX account.”
The victim lost about $60,000, police said.
Wolcott detectives said they began an investigation after the victim notified them of the loss.
A sting operation was set up to have the suspect come to the victim’s home in Wolcott to collect more money.
“When he arrived, he was placed under arrest,” police said. “Xiallong was transported to the Wolcott Police Department.”
He was charged with criminal attempt at second-degree larceny, first-degree telephone fraud, and criminal impersonation.
“After [Xiallong] told us that he is a Chinese immigrant, the Department of Homeland Security was notified of this arrest,” police said. “We then learned that [Xiallong] was in the U.S. on an expired student visa.”
Xiallong, who was held on a $150,000 bond, was transported to Waterbury Superior Court on Dec. 9. He was then transported to the Whalley Avenue Detention Center where he remained held on bond.
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2024.12.11 One of two suspects has pleaded guilty after a 42-year-old man was robbed, fatally shot and then had his body dumped in a bathtub at an apartment in Antioch
1 of 2 suspects pleads guilty after 42-year-old man lured into Antioch residence, robbed and fatally shot
One of two suspects has pleaded guilty after a 42-year-old man was robbed, fatally shot and then had his body dumped in a bathtub at an apartment in Antioch.
Johnathan N. Skroko, 27, of South Elgin, and Hailey D. Miller, 30, of Antioch, were charged in September 2022 with first-degree murder.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Steve Scheller said at the time that Robbie Dickerson, 42, of Racine, Wisconsin, went to Miller’s home in the 1000 block of Main Street in Antioch around 11 p.m. on September 5, 2022.
Dickerson went to the residence to engage in a drug transaction and was with his girlfriend, Scheller said.
Miller convinced Dickerson to come into her residence.
Miller told investigators that Skroko had planned to hold Dickerson at gunpoint and steal his drugs, Scheller said.
Skroko allegedly hid in another room when Dickerson arrived and came out with a shotgun.
Scheller said that Skroko demanded Dickerson give him the drugs but Dickerson grabbed Miller and tried to hide behind her.
Miller was able to break away and Skroko allegedly shot Dickerson in the chest.
Skroko handed Miller a pistol and told her that he wanted her to “finish off” the victim, Scheller said.
Miller refused and Skroko fired a second shot into Dickerson, Scheller said. Skroko allegedly dragged the body into the bathtub.
Dickerson’s girlfriend, who was outside, heard the shots fired.
Skroko and Miller went outside and Miller tried to convince the victim’s girlfriend to come inside the apartment, Scheller said.
The woman refused and Skroko allegedly pulled a pistol and told the woman to leave the area.
Skroko and Miller allegedly put the guns used in the murder into Miller’s car and they drove off to Wisconsin to Miller’s father’s home before later driving to Skroko’s residence in South Elgin.
Miller took the Ring doorbell camera off her residence before they fled the Antioch residence, Scheller said.
The Antioch Police Department found Dickerson deceased in a bathtub with bleach poured over his body after officers responded to the home.
An autopsy showed Dickerson died from a gunshot wound to his chest.
Investigators located Skroko and Miller two days later at a hotel near Route 41 and Grand Avenue in Gurnee, Lake County Major Crime Task Force Spokesman Christopher Covelli said at the time.
Both were taken into custody without incident.
A gun, ammunition and clothing with blood stains were recovered from the hotel room, Scheller said.
In total, investigators recovered five guns, including some that had been dumped in Busse Woods off Higgins Road near Schaumburg.
One of the firearms was a shotgun which had a red substance consistent with blood.
Skroko was ordered held on a $10 million bond and Miller was held on a $3 million bond.
Court records show Miller pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one count of armed robbery with a firearm, a Class X felony, in exchange for prosecutors dismissing her murder charges.
The agreement was a blind plea deal, meaning Miller’s sentence was not agreed upon and a judge will sentence her to six to 25 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
The state’s attorney’s office said that Miller will be required to provide “honest testimony” during the trial for her co-defendant, Skroko, as part of her plea deal.
Miller will be sentenced after Skroko’s trial is concluded. The trial is scheduled for June 2.
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一名 42 岁男子被诱骗至安提阿住宅，遭抢劫并被枪杀，两名嫌疑人中的一名承认有罪
一名 42 岁的男子在安提阿的一间公寓内被抢劫、枪杀并将其尸体抛在浴缸中，两名嫌疑人中的一人已承认有罪。
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