Green Brook Sister, Brother Charged In Invoice Scheme: U.S. Attorney

GREEN BROOK, NJ – A New Jersey brother and sister were charged with running a multi-million-dollar fraudulent invoice scheme, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced Thursday.

Shevandra Verasawmi, 37, of Matawan and Vishallie Verasawmi, 36, of Green Brook are charged by indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and three counts of mail fraud.

Shevandra Verasawmi was arrested July 11 and appeared that afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Cayer in Charlotte, North Carolina, federal court.

Vishallie Verasawmi was arrested Thursday morning and appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Dickson in Newark federal court.

Both defendants, who are out on bail, will be arraigned before U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson in Trenton federal court on July 19, 2017.

From April 2016 through August 2016, Shevandra and Vishallie Verasawmi tricked a company into paying shell companies that were incorporated by Shevandra. Despite the fact that the shell companies never had contracts for goods or services with the victim company, Vishallie used her position as an employee of vicitm company to add the shell companies to the victim company's accounts payable system, according to the indictment.

Shevandra and Vishallie then submitted dozens of fake invoices to the victim company and then deposited the fake proceeds into bank accounts they controlled, according to the indictment.

In total, Shevandra and Vishallie tried to divert millions of dollars belonging to the victim company and spent the proceeds on personal expenses, including luxury cars and credit card payments.

As part of the indictment, Shevandra and Vishallie Verasawmi’s must turn over their alleged proceeds from the scheme, including $1,066,829.57 and a 2016 BMW 750Li xDrive sedan.

The mail fraud conspiracy and mail fraud counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.

(Image via Shutterstock)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.