Toronto ORC gang hits GTA retailers for $395,000+ in credit card scam - hitting Home Depot and others  Nao Khou, 51, allegedly scammed financial institutions by inflating credit card accounts by depositing fake cheques, said Detective Ian Nichol of the Financial Crimes Unit. The group of people used fraudulent gift cards, credit cards, debit cards and cheques to purchase items at several area retailers. The group purchased hundreds of appliances, tools and related items from big box retailers, including Home Depot, using payment cards whose values were artificially boosted using forged cheques. These actions were committed over a 30-day period between August and September 2013. The Toronto man is facing four charges after taking more than $395,000 worth of goods from various GTA retailers, police say. Police said it was The Home Depot who initially caught on to the thefts before the Financial Crimes Unit was called in. Police are still looking for one female suspect and possibly others. (Source theglobeandmail.com) (Source ctvnews.ca)

Identity theft couple busted for ORC hitting Wal-Mart in San Tan Valley, Az.  Inside the suspects vehicle, detectives discovered false photo identifications for both Colby and Mancuso along with fake checks, business cards and retail store memberships in their names. Also located in the vehicle were computers and other equipment used to create false documents. Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “Colby and Mancuso were both wanted for other outstanding felony and misdemeanor warrants from prior cases. This investigation determined, they used the computers and other equipment to create false identifications and checks. The suspects then purchased computers and other items and later sold them at pawn shops. Laptop computers and other equipment were seized both in their vehicle and at a pawn shop.” Colby and Mancuso were both booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for Organized Retail Theft, Fraud Schemes, Possession of Forgery Device, Forgery, Criminal Impersonation, Taking the Identity of Another Person and their outstanding warrants. (Source santanvalley.com)

Three men indicted on federal charges for stealing construction supplies from Columbia, S.C., area Lowe’s Home Improvement stores  Falsely claiming to represent legitimate commercial accounts Brown would add his accomplice’s names to the account as purchasing agents, the indictment says. The three men then would travel to “various Lowe’s and make purchases of construction materials using the fraudulently obtained commercial charge account information.” If convicted, Brown, Peay and Coker could face fines of $250,000 each and/or 30 years in prison, or both. (Source thestate.com)

Fraudster hits T-Mobile for 22 iPhones worth $16,400 with closed credit card
Police said a man bilked T-Mobile out of more than $16,400 by making more than 20 purchases by using a closed credit card account. charged with several counts of access device fraud and theft after police said he purchased 22 iPhone 5s and related accessories at area T-Mobile stores by using a closed Visa credit card account. Shuib visited several T-Mobile stores between July 3 and July 24. In each instance, Shuib made purchases on the closed credit card account by telling T-Mobile associates that there was “something wrong” with his Metro Bank Visa debit card, adding that the card number had to be entered manually. The alleged thefts happened at T-Mobile stores in Montgomery County — including stores in Elkins Park, Willow Grove, King of Prussia and North Wales— Philadelphia, Lebanon and Delaware counties. There were also four allegedly fraudulent purchases made in New Jersey. (Source abington.patch.com)


Baby formula ORC duo busted hitting Wal-Mart stores in Lexington, Ky.  Theodore Roosevelt Woodard II, 52, of Louisville, was arrested on a warrant for theft by unlawful taking over $500. His arrest report says Woodard and a co-defendant entered Walmart on multiple occasions getting baby formula, diapers and paper towels. The report says they left the store without paying for the merchandise. Woodard was arrested at the Walmart on Dixie Highway, but store security officials said he had been caught shoplifting multiple times at the PRP store on Raggard Road. (Source wave3.com)


Memphis trio behind bars for a $1700 jean theft  A trio is in jail accused of stealing hundreds of dollars’ worth of jeans from a store at Wolfchase Galleria. But they’re charged with more than theft because police say one of them pointed a gun at a security guard who tried to stop the thieves. Some believe the crime could be gang-related. In the last week, there have been two major thefts at Sears in Memphis. First, at Oak Court Mall and now at Wolfchase. In both situations, police say the thieves tried to get away with more than $1,700 worth of jeans. (Source wreg.com)