NY MAIL CARRIERS INDICTED ON CREDIT CARD THEFT SCHEME

This holiday season, we know that identity thieves will be targeting not just our inboxes, but our mailboxes,” said District Attorney Vance. “So, we’re putting scammers on notice: the Manhattan D.A.’s Office has the expertise, resources, and partnerships in cybercrime and identity theft to find you and hold you accountable. We will continue to work hand-in-hand with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the NYPD to stamp out fraud and protect the integrity of a service relied upon by millions of New Yorkers.”

NEW YORK, NY — Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. announced the indictment of ten individuals for a $750,000 identity theft conspiracy committed between January 2017 and August 2019. Ringleader MICHAEL RICHARDS, 37, is charged with recruiting multiple United States Postal Service (“USPS”) mail carriers, including KENNISHA MURRELL, 36, CURQUAN HIGHSMITH, 31, BRUCE BIENVENU, 31, and KENNETH FREEMAN, JR., 25, to steal credit cards from the mail they delivered in New York City and Virginia.

Members of the conspiracy used online databases to learn personal identifying information about the cardholders in order to activate the cards and purchase high-end goods at luxury retailers. The defendants are charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, as well as three counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree and other related charges.

“This holiday season, we know that identity thieves will be targeting not just our inboxes, but our mailboxes,” said District Attorney Vance. “So, we’re putting scammers on notice: the Manhattan D.A.’s Office has the expertise, resources, and partnerships in cybercrime and identity theft to find you and hold you accountable. We will continue to work hand-in-hand with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the NYPD to stamp out fraud and protect the integrity of a service relied upon by millions of New Yorkers.” … (click to read more)