A gang of credit card fraudsters in Brooklyn, New York, has been charged with a scam involving stealing credit accounts to purchase high-end eyeglasses, which they later sold at a profit. The federal prosecutors in Brooklyn indicted three individuals involved in the scam: Brian Palmer, Jasmine Copeland, and Terry Brown, all with extensive criminal histories. The indictment includes charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft in connection with the alleged scheme. Law enforcement sources noted that the individuals involved in the scam were known gang members and career criminals who sought to profit from any opportunity that arose.
The investigation into the credit card fraud scam began when a Staten Island woman discovered a phony credit account opened in her name with Synchrony Bank, which was used to purchase $20,000 worth of eyeglasses at Cohen’s Fashion Optical in Queens. Bank investigators then uncovered similar scams at three other Cohen’s outlets in Nassau and Suffolk counties, where phony credit cards were used to purchase eyeglasses that were later sold through various outlets. The FBI became involved in the case and conducted surveillance on the suspects, who were reportedly affiliated with several street gangs. Following a grand jury indictment on April 10, the three gang members involved in the scam were arrested last week.
Brian Palmer, a member of the Boss Family gang, has a lengthy criminal history dating back to 2011 with more than a dozen prior arrests for various offenses, including weapons possession, theft, and resisting arrest. Jasmine Copeland has been arrested seven times since 2012 for charges ranging from forgery to robbery. Terry Brown, who is allegedly associated with the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation gang, has been arrested multiple times for gang assault, assault, and illegal weapons possession. These individuals were part of a group of gangbangers who sought to profit from the fraudulent credit card scam involving high-end eyeglasses.
The suspects in the credit card fraud scheme operated by purchasing eyeglasses with stolen credit card information and then reselling them for profit. The scam was detected when a Staten Island woman found out about a phony credit account opened in her name and used to purchase thousands of dollars worth of eyeglasses. Bank investigators discovered similar scams at other Cohen’s outlets throughout Long Island, where fake credit cards were used to buy eyeglasses that were later sold through other outlets. The investigation led to the arrest and indictment of the three gang members involved in the scheme, who were known for their criminal activities and gang affiliations.
The involvement of gang members and career criminals in the credit card fraud scheme highlights the risks associated with such illegal activities. These individuals sought to profit from fraudulent credit card transactions by using stolen accounts to purchase high-end eyeglasses, which were then sold at a profit. The investigation into the scam revealed a network of individuals affiliated with various street gangs who were engaged in criminal activities to support their lifestyles. The arrest and indictment of the gang members involved in the scam serve as a warning to others involved in similar fraudulent schemes that such criminal activities will not go unnoticed by law enforcement authorities.
Overall, the credit card fraud scheme operated by a gang of individuals in Brooklyn highlights the prevalence of such criminal activities and the risks associated with engaging in fraudulent transactions for personal gain. The involvement of known gang members and career criminals in the scheme underscores the lengths to which individuals will go to make a profit, regardless of the legality of their actions. The investigation into the scam and subsequent arrest of the suspects involved in the fraudulent credit card transactions serve as a deterrent to others who may be considering engaging in similar criminal activities. Law enforcement authorities will continue to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in credit card fraud schemes to protect consumers and uphold the law.
