Georgia Man Scammed Eatontown Business Out Of $90K: Prosecutor

EATONTOWN, NJ — A Georgia man scammed an Eatontown business out of $90,000, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office announced Wednesday. Innovative Power Solutions paid the man two months of lease payments after receiving emails mirroring its legitimate monthly bill.

Darryl Moss, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, was charged with one count of second-degree theft by unlawful taking, the MCPO said.

The business owner leased a building in Eatontown and regularly completed wire transfers to the leasing company's bank account. But before the May payment, the owner received a scam email, the MCPO said.

Innovative Power Solutions received a lease-payment email with a different bank and bank account number. The victim believed the email was legitimate and wired the April and May lease payments — $45,379.04 per month for a total of $90,758.08.

Shortly after, the leasing company informed the business that it was late on its April and May payments, and they realized the previous emails were fraudulent.

Authorities analyzed the accounts in question and determined Moss scammed the Eatontown business, the MCPO said. Law enforcement has recovered about $70,000 in stolen money.

Moss faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

“It’s important for corporations and agencies, whether in the private or public sector, to be vigilant with sending money to unknown sources or new banking institutions," said Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni. "You cannot take anything for granted."

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