Town of New Hartford NEW YORK

TOWN of NEW HARTFORD

ONEIDA COUNTY

NEW HARTFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT

32 KELLOGG ROAD, NEW HARTFORD, NEW YORK 13413-2850

 Telephone: 1-315-733-6666

Fax: 1-315-724-8618

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August 14, 2009

Two Men Charged after Credit Card Fraud Discovered

On Wednesday August 12th 2009 at around 8:00am, the New Hartford Police Department received a report of suspicious activity from Sangertown Mall Security that a mall employee became concerned of possible illegal activity on August 11th,  after a subject using a Georgia Drivers license as identification purchased twenty-one (21), $300.00 American Express gift cards having a total value of $6,342.00, over the course of 3 different days and while using a total of 4 different Visa cards and 1 MasterCard.  After a combined investigation between the New Hartford Police Department and Sangertown Mall Security it was determined that the identification of the subject provided at the time of purchase was false and the Chase MasterCard account used to purchase at least 3 of the 21 gift cards was fraudulent. The Chase MasterCard credit account used in the crime was linked to an actual Citibank MasterCard account that belonged to an innocent unknowing individual in the state of Illinois.  Victims linked to the other stolen credit card accounts are in the process of being notified by the credit card companies. Later in the afternoon on August 12th, 2009 the New Hartford Police Department again responded to the Sangertown Square Mall in regards to a report of an individual attempting to use one of the fraudulently purchased gift cards at the Sunglass Hut, the purchase was denied at the Sunglass Hut, and the subject was directed to the Mall’s Customer Service Desk.  After police arrived on the scene they located the subject who was identified as Sonny Breton Jr., age 30 originally from Brooklyn who is currently on Parole and staying in the Utica area. Breton was waiting at customer service in an attempt to question why his gift card was not working properly.  At that time Breton was questioned by Police in regards to his involvement with the fraudulent gift card, he had one of the illegally obtained gift cards in his possession and he was also found to be in possession of several small bags of marihuana. Breton was taken into custody and escorted to the New Hartford Police Department Substation for further investigation.  While escorting Breton to the Substation, Police located Chinedum E. Nwogu 28, from Brooklyn who fit the description of the individual who had made the fraudulent gift card purchases, over the three previous days. Nwogu was taken into custody, at that time he was found to be in possession of 2 fraudulent MasterCard credit cards and the fraudulent Georgia driver’s license used in the previously mentioned purchase of gift cards. All of the fraudulent items were in the name of Kevin Spencer from Atlanta, Ga.  Nwogu was also found to be in possession of nine (9) of the previously purchased gift cards. Upon further investigation both parties were found to be in possession of over $3,000.00 in cash, as well as merchandise purchased with the gift cards.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, over the course of the past two days, it was has been determined that Nwogu had made numerous other fraudulent credit card purchases in the Utica and Syracuse area during the same 3-day stretch that the crimes were committed in New Hartford. At this time police have identified a $2000.00 purchase of Carousel Mall gift Certificates.  Other business involved in this investigation include but are not limited to Champs Sports, Foot locker, FYE, Wal-Mart, Macys, Gap New Hartford and Syracuse, Lids, Sunglass Hut, Game Stop, Journeys, Byrne Dairy, Price Chopper, and Walgreen’s.

While examining the counterfeit credit cards used in this crime, it was found that they were very high quality and appeared to be authentic in every way, also the Georgia driver’s license was a very high quality counterfeit. It was also found while doing multiple interviews that it seems that the credit cards used in the crime are linked to individual account numbers that are embossed on the card its self.  Not by the magnetic strip. Store employees had to manually input the account information on the card into their register systems to complete the transaction correctly.  Both Breton and Nwogu were processed and arraigned in the Town Of New Hartford Court on 08/12/09/ Breton was charged with Grand Larceny 3rd a class D Felony and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana a Violation. Breton was subsequently remanded to Oneida County Jail in lieu of no bail.  Nwogu was charged with 5 counts of Forgery 2nd  a class D Felonies, Grand Larceny 3rd a class D Felony, and 3 counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument all class D Felonies.  Nwogu was also remanded to Oneida County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond.  Both parties are scheduled to return to Town Of New Hartford Court on Monday August 17th at 1:00 pm.

This investigation is on going, Police is currently seeking additional subjects, and additional Felony charges will be lodged against the defendants as the investigation continues. 

The public is encouraged to make frequent credit report checks to ensure their identity has not been compromised by this type of crime and if there are discrepancies, they should be reported the Police as well as to your credit reporting agency.  For further information on Identify theft or credit card fraud please visit the New Hartford Police Department website at   www.town.new-hartford.ny.us .

For further information regarding this investigation please contact:

Patrolman Shane C. Yoxall

New Hartford Police Department

32 Kellogg Road

New Hartford, NY 13413

315-724-7111

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