In Hudson County: Authorities Arrest Alleged Mastermind Of Identity Theft Scheme

Authorities have arrested a Hudson County man for allegedly masterminding an identity theft scheme that stole more than $200,000 from various banks throughout New Jersey and New York.

Prosecutors are charging that Jonathan Figueroa, 27, of Jersey City, recruited Aixa Rivera, 49, of Hoboken, and Lourdes Olivera, 38, of Waterbury, Connecticut, to help him orchestrate account takeover schemes at various JP Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo Bank branches.

According to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Figueroa provided Rivera and Olivera with multiple fake identification documents such as driver’s licenses, which they “uttered” at various banks in the area to make illegal withdrawals from victims’ bank accounts.

Each of the fake identification documents they presented to the bank tellers corresponded to real account holders at each of the banks, prosecutors stated.

The investigation was launched after authorities were contacted by JP Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo Bank.

Police charged Figueroa with Theft by Deception, Fraudulent Use of Items Containing Personal Identifying Information of Another, Impersonation, Uttering a Forged Document, and Conspiracy.

Figueroa’s bail was set at $75,000 with no 10 percent option. He was remanded to the Bergen County Jail in lieu of bail.

Police arrested Rivera and Olivera in March. Rivera was charged with Theft by Deception, Impersonation and Uttering a Forged Document. Olivera was charged with Fraudulent Use of Items Containing Personal Identifying Information of Another, Impersonation, Theft by Deception, and Uttering a Forged Document.