Men Charged In Online Cellphone Scam: Police

SMITHTOWN, NY - Two Bronx men were arrested on Tuesday in connection with an online cellphone scam in Smithtown, according to Suffolk Police.

Police were contacted by Sprint after several cellphones were fraudulently purchased online and scheduled to be delivered in Suffolk County.

Detectives surveilled the delivery locations, which were vacant homes, and following one of the deliveries on Convetry Lane in Smithtown.

During the surveillance, 28-year-old Michael Atta and 40-year-old Justice Asare, were seen stealing a package containing two cellphones that were purchased online using someone else’s name and Social Security number, police said.

Both were charged with fourth degree grand larceny and fourth degree criminal possession of stolen property.

While in this case, both men used vacant homes for their deliveries, police say they have received reports of incidents during which people went to occupied homes to pick up packages that they claimed were inadvertently delivered to the wrong location.

In some cases, the person at the door will have fake identification using the same name as someone in the home where the package is being delivered.

The Suffolk County Police Department is asking people to call 911 if a suspicious person comes to their door seeking a recent delivery.

Pictured: L - Asare R - Atta

Photos: SCPD