FBI Fraud Scheme Bilks Resident Of $40K: Lower Makefield Crimes

LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA — The Lower Makefield Township Police Department has released its blotter of criminal incidents for the past week.

These are the criminal incidents:

May 6

FRAUD:

• Unit block of Glen Dr. reported at 11:10 a.m. The complainant reported that an unknown person(s) accessed their American Advantage Account and redeemed $714.20 worth of airline miles.
• 800 block of Sumter Drive, reported at 3:46 p.m. The complainant reported being contacted by someone claiming to be with their bank’s fraud department. The victim provided them with personal information, and there has since been several fraudulent charges on their account.
  Investigation ongoing.
• 1200 block of Yardley Road, reported at 4:53 a.m. The complainant reported that an unknown person contacted them demanding $10,000. The victim noticed while using their laptop, the mouse began to move on its own. The unknown person(s) gained access to the victim’s banking
  information and made a $571.11 purchase. Investigation ongoing.

THEFT — 600 block of Stony Hill Road, reported at 3:01 p.m. The complainant reported entering into a business contract with a company from Philadelphia for $8,660.73. The victim
received a check for $16,860.73. The victim was advised there was an error and to send the additional monies back. After doing so, the victim was contacted by their bank and notified that the check was fraudulent.

May 5

DISORDERLY CONDUCT — 1000 block of Stony Hill Road at the Hampton Inn, reported at 3:21 p.m. Police were investigating a suspicious person at the location. A man fitting the description was located in the parking lot. A further investigation led to the discovery of a small amount of marijuana. The 45-year-old man from Trenton, N.J. was cited for Disorderly Conduct and an Open Container of Alcohol.

May 3

ACCIDENT & DUI ARREST — 100 block of Mount Eyre Road, reported at 1:51 a.m. Police responded to the report of a one-vehicle accident at the location. A further investigation led to the arrest of a 56-year-old male driver from Washington Crossing for Driving Under the Influence.

RETAIL THEFT — 500 block of West Trenton Ave. at CVS, reported at 10:37 a.m. Loss Prevention reported that an unknown man entered the store and removed three bottles of cough syrup without paying. Further investigation led to the identity of the man. Contact was made with him, and he was advised to return to the store to pay for the items to avoid prosecution. Loss Prevention confirmed the man did return to pay and was trespassed from all CVS stores.

May 1

FRAUD — 1700 block of Sunflower Way, reported at 8:45 a.m. The complainant reported receiving a call from someone claiming to be with the FBI, and they were investigating a fraud case involving the victim. They were instructed to transfer their money into a “safe lock feature deposit account.” The victim went to the bank and transferred $15,000 to an unknown beneficiary. The victim went to a second banking location and transferred another $25,000. They were instructed to go to a third banking location and initiate another transfer, however, this was discovered as fraudulent and stopped. An investigation is ongoing.

April 30

FRAUD — 1900 block of Sylvan Terrace, reported at 7:57 p.m. The complainant reported receiving an email from an unknown sender regarding an outstanding balance owed to Geek Squad. The victim clicked the link, which locked their computer. They then purchased $1,000 worth of gift cards and provided the information to an unknown person over the phone.

WEAPONS & RSP ARREST — Route 1 and Oxford Valley Road, reported at 11:34 p.m. Police on patrol stopped a vehicle for violations. A records check revealed the tag on the vehicle was
stolen. Further investigation led to the discovery of a firearm that did not belong the to man. The 23-year-old male driver from Philadelphia, was taken into police custody and charged with Possession of a Firearm Without a License and Receiving Stolen Property.