Gift Card Fraud Targets Basking Ridge Local

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A Basking Ridge resident was almost the victim of a gift card scam recently.

On Aug. 15, a 74-year-old Allen Road resident said they got an e-mail from someone who claimed to be an acquaintance of theirs.

The e-mailer asked the resident to buy them Apple iTunes gift cards for a relative's birthday because the "acquaintance" was out of the country, Bernards Township Police said.

The resident asked the "acquaintance" for some personal information to prove who they were and the "fraudster" was able to answer some making it appear legitimate, police said.

"Luckily, the resident was able to determine that the email address from the acquaintance was fraudulent and the Apple Gift cards were cancelled before they were actually used," police said.

Other Bernards Township Police blotter items:

On Aug. 13 at about 8:14 p.m.: Francios Abernathy, 23, of Phillipsburg was arrested for
possession of marijuana under 50 grams. Abernathy, who was driving a grey 2015 Kia Optimia
with a Pennsylvania license plate, was stopped by Officer Severino on I-78 westbound for an equipment violation. Upon approaching the vehicle, Severino immediately smelled the odor of raw marijuana coming from the vehicle. A search was conducted resulting in under 50 grams of marijuana Abernathy was issued a motor vehicle summons and a criminal summons and released.

On Aug. 18 at about 9:19 p.m.: Luis Pantoja, 44, of Ridgefield Park was arrested for possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. Officer Severino observed a 2015 red Kia Sorrento travelling on Valley Road near Lyons Road not come to a complete stop at a stop sign. Severino also observed an equipment violation and proceeded to stop the motor vehicle on Martinsville Road. Upon stopping the vehicle and speaking with Pantoja, Severino smelled the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Officer Nicholas Dante arrived on the scene as back up and Severino returned to his vehicle to check Pantoja’s credentials. While Dante was speaking with Pantoja, Pantoja handed over under 50 grams of marijuana and a marijuana pipe. He was charged and released.

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