According to the Pennsylvania State Police as Schuylkill Haven, a large-scale identify theft and fraud operation was uncovered targeting Boscov's Department Stores in Pennsylvania including Schuylkill County.
According to court papers, Trooper Thomas Luscan of the Schuylkill Haven Barracks and member of the Troop L's Criminal Investigation Unit, is currently leading a joint investigation with the United States Secret Service into a corrupt organization specializing in forgery, identity theft, and access device fraud that has been systematically targeting Boscov's department stores.
On July 25, 2023, at approximately 2:00pm, Trooper Luscan met with Glenn Petro, Boscov's Director of Risk Management and Loss Prevention, and John Schleicher, Boscov's Regional Manager of Risk Management and Loss Prevention. They provided information about a large-scale identity theft and fraud incident involving dozens of fraudulent online applications for Boscov's charge cards.
The investigation uncovered a disturbing pattern: once these fraudulent applications are approved, the mailing address associated with the card is quickly changed to a different location, allowing the criminals to receive a new physical card at their chosen address. These cards are then utilized for fraudulent purchases at various Boscov's locations.
During the investigation, it was found that between June 6, 2023, and June 9, 2023, five fraudulent cards were used to complete 16 separate transactions totaling $7,577.89.
The illegal activity occurred at four separate Boscov's stores located in different counties:
An initial investigation by Boscov's Loss Prevention in 2023 revealed a surge in online applications for Boscov's charge cards, with stolen identities being used to complete these applications. After approval, the criminals swiftly changed the mailing address to a location in New York, from where the physical cards were disseminated to various individuals on the street. These individuals were then given specific instructions on what to buy with the stolen cards.
- Lebanon (Store #5) in Lebanon County - 8 Transactions Totaling $2,335.36
- Pottsville (Store #6) in Schuylkill County - 2 Transactions Totaling $1,810.44
- Hazleton (Store #9) in Luzerne County - 4 Transactions Totaling $2,504.11
- Berkshire Mall/Wyomissing (Store #75) in Berks County - 2 Transactions Totaling $927.98
An initial investigation by Boscov's Loss Prevention in 2023 revealed a surge in online applications for Boscov's charge cards, with stolen identities being used to complete these applications. After approval, the criminals swiftly changed the mailing address to a location in New York, from where the physical cards were disseminated to various individuals on the street. These individuals were then given specific instructions on what to buy with the stolen cards.
This operation extended across multiple states, including Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Ohio, Maryland, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
The United States Secret Service provided information regarding 35 victims whose information had been compromised in this operation, spanning multiple states.
In all of these transactions, the credit cards were used without the knowledge or permission of the victims.
Given the compelling evidence and the scale of the operation, Pennsylvania State Police have requested arrest warrants for Carlos David Rosario and Jean Carlos Ramirez Diaz to face the charges against them.
In all of these transactions, the credit cards were used without the knowledge or permission of the victims.
Given the compelling evidence and the scale of the operation, Pennsylvania State Police have requested arrest warrants for Carlos David Rosario and Jean Carlos Ramirez Diaz to face the charges against them.
The charges against both include:
- 16 counts of Forgery
- 16 counts of Identity Theft
- 16 counts of Access Device Fraud
- 16 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Forgery
- 1 count of Corrupt Organizations.
Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Rosario or Diaz are asked to contact their local law enforcement.