Stamford Police Crack ID Theft, Fake Credit Card Ring

An identity theft and fake credit card manufacturing ring has been broken up by Stamford Police.

When Stamford detectives went to a Bronx, NY apartment to arrest a couple on identity theft and credit card fraud charges, they happened upon the equipment used in the operation, according to Stamford Lt. Diedrich Hohn.

It was on May 13, that investigators went into the Bronx with the assistance of the New York Police Department’s 45th Precinct and the Co-Op City Police Department.

“We went there to arrest them on our warrants and got lucky when our investigator saw the machine there. New York went and got search warrants and arrested them on the scene on their charges,” Hohn said.

The suspects, identified as Ferne Deans, 35, and Phillip Deans, 36, were arrested at their residence at 100 Dekruif Pl., Bronx, NY.

According to Stamford Police, “The NYPD arrested them and held them as Fugitives from Justice. Officers located and seized numerous fake Florida licenses, blank credit cards, and forged credit cards. We also seized several pieces of commercial equipment which are used to manufacture credit cards.”

Details on the couple’s suspected credit card and ID exploits in Stamford were not immediately available.

The equipment seized includes a Datalink credit card embossing machine which is used by banks to create debit/credit cards for their clients, an MSR card reader/writer, and a laptop with links to a website known for selling stolen card information.

The NYPD has charged the Deans with multiple counts of Felony Forgery, Criminal Possession of a Forgery Device, and Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument. Hohn said that given the charges the couple is facing in New York, it could be some time before they are extradited to Connecticut.

Police also praised the work of Investigators Sean Coughlin and Mike Stempien. “ Their relentlessness in pursuing these fugitives has led to the seizure of a credit card lab and prevented numerous additional people from being victimized,’’ police said in a statement.

Photos: Phillip Deans and Ferne Deans. Equipment that police say was used to create fake IDs and credit cards. Credits: Courtesy of Stamford Police.