A formidable identity theft syndicate has been indicted for pilfering upwards of $500,000 from at least five individuals, including plundering a public-school PTA and the life savings of a home health aide. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. disclosed yesterday the charges against the four suspects Akeem Henry, Michael Nolan, Devaugh Fraser, and Ramoy Sutherland for Grand Larceny, Identity Theft, and Money Laundering, as reported by the Manhattan DA's Office.
Henry, alleged to be the ringleader, alongside his associates executed a scheme to swiftly access and drain victims' bank accounts. Statement obtained by the Manhattan DA's Office described an intricate method of SIM-swapping, which enabled the fraudsters to intercept two-factor authentication codes and potentially to quickly reset victims’ passwords, laying bare personal online accounts. This method allowed them to stealthily abscond with a home health aide's life savings, totaling over $74,000.
The same criminal pattern was replicated against a Brooklyn school's Parent Teacher Association, from which over $300,000 were siphoned, and a Polish-American couple who were left stranded without access to their $85,000 while abroad in Poland, as detailed by the Manhattan DA's Office. HSI New York Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker lamented the theft as "shamelessly stealing from people and organizations serving the public in need" and assured the public of HSI's commitment to financial security.
According to the Manhattan DA's Office, the proceeds from these high-tech heists were laundered through various means facilitated by Nolan, Fraser, and Sutherland. In the aftermath of their crime, members of this conspiracy indulged in lavished lifestyles, funded by nefarious acts. Henry himself is reported to have spent stolen money extravagantly, taking to enjoy private jets and holidays in exotic locations such as the Maldives and Monaco.
September 2024 witnessed the announcement of the Cyber Crime Bureau by D.A. Bragg, reflecting on the necessity to combat the technological atrocities of modern times. The bureau's work shines a light on technically advanced criminal activities, including cryptocurrency theft, cyber intrusions, and malware attacks. Their expertise and collaborative efforts with HSI were crucial in revealing the considerable scope of the digital crimes perpetrated by Henry and his cohort.
The prosecution led by Assistant D.A. Bernard Eyth under the oversight of Adam Maltz, Virginia Nguyen, Jeremy Glickman, and Jodie Kane is yet another step towards safeguarding the digital landscape. HSI and the El Dorado Task Force Cyber Intrusions Group were commended for their investigative work that led to these indictments.
