2 Iselin Men Conducted Online Fraud Sales Of Airplane Parts: AG

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Two men from the Iselin section of Woodbridge have been charged with running an Internet fraud scheme involving the sale of aircraft equipment and replacement parts.

The two Iselin men are part of five men total who ran the scheme, said acting New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, who announced their arrests Thursday morning.

The Woodbridge men are Eddie S. Signo, 28, and Champagne Thompson, 29, both of Iselin. They both are charged with conspiracy and receiving stolen property.

The NJ Attorney General says that from February 3, 2017 until just two weeks ago, March 28, all five men participated in a conspiracy to defraud businesses by pretending to sell specialized equipment, including airline ground support equipment (GSE) and hydraulic jacks.

The United States is the world's primary manufacturer of airplane machinery and aircraft parts.

Shortly after the companies sent online payments for purchased equipment, the five men allegedly removed the funds via a series of cash withdrawals, or transfers to another co-conspirator’s account. The victim companies never received the equipment or a refund.

Prosecutors said all five men made more than $1 million in the scheme.

The following defendants were arrested on March 31 and charged with the listed offenses:

Antonio P. Signo, aka “Tony Demetro,” 35, of Somerset

• 2nd Degree Conspiracy
• 2nd Degree Theft by Deception
• 2nd Degree Receiving Stolen Property
• 2nd Degree Money Laundering

Sonny Signo, 54, of Elizabeth

• 2nd Degree Conspiracy
• 2nd Degree Receiving Stolen Property

Eddie S. Signo, 28, of Iselin

• 2nd Degree Conspiracy
• 2nd Degree Receiving Stolen Property

Champagne Thompson, 29, of Iselin

• 2nd Degree Conspiracy
• 3rd Degree Receiving Stolen Property

Co-defendant Cindy K. Drake, 36, of Somerset was charged on a complaint-summons for second-degree receiving stolen property in connection with the internet scheme.

Signo is detained pending trial in the Somerset County Jail. All others were released with dates to return for court hearings.

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