White Collar Crimes

November 13, 2013

In a New York Identity Theft Prosecution Must the Prosecution Prove the Alleged Victim Suffered an Irreversible Financial Loss

New York Identity Theft investigations, arrests and prosecutions present themselves in a variety of ways. There are the fairly routine credit card theft and use cases and the more complex web of identity takeovers that extend to social security numbers and other personal identifying information. Although there are different subsections and degrees of New York Identity Theft (New York Penal Law 190.78, New York Penal Law 190.79 and New York Penal Law 190.80), one of the means by which these crimes are prosecuted is through establishing a “financial loss” to the complainant. As a former Identity Theft prosecutor who was part of a grant that led to the establishment of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office Identity Theft Unit, the predecessor to the Cyber Crime and Identity Theft Bureau, I can tell you that “financial loss” can be in the multiple millions or in the single digits.

Irrespective of the actual “financial loss” suffered, a competent and knowledge New York criminal lawyer or Identity Theft defense attorney needs to fully comprehend the definition and meaning of “financial loss.” People v. Rosario, 2013 NY Slip Op. 23260 (Sup. Ct. New York) helps do just that.

November 9, 2013

When Wrongful Access of a Computer is Not a Crime: Unauthorized Use of a Computer – NY PL 156.05

by Jeremy Saland

With prosecutors seeking to protect proprietary and “secret scientific” information of financial, research, medical and other commercial institutions, it should come as no surprise to criminal defense lawyers regularly practicing in New York courts or those accused of crimes involving computers that Unauthorized Use of a Computer is potential crippling offense. The “lowest” of all New York’s computer crimes, Unauthorized Use of a Computer, an “A” misdemeanor pursuant to New York Penal Law 156.05, occurs when you knowingly use, cause to be used, or accesses a computer, computer service, or computer network without permission. Again, while NY PL 156.05 is not as significant as other New York computer crimes, it is likely one that if convicted would result in not merely your termination from your current employer (assuming it involved an employer-employee relationship), but would be a red flag on any future employment.

Defined in the New York Penal Law, computer service and network are critical terms to analyze in a Unauthorized Use of a Computer arrest. However, equally important is to these elements is whether or not your use of the computer was authorized. In People v. Klapper 2009NY032282 (Crim. Ct. New York County, Decided April 28, 2010), a Manhattan Criminal Court judge issued a surprising decision that puts into question what we all believe is the basis or foundation of permission and authority.

August 27, 2013

Illegally Using an Employer’s Credit Card or Colleague’s Check Part II: Possible New York Crimes

by Jeremy Saland

In a prior bog entry, I addressed some of the potential felony arrest charges you can face if you commit credit card fraud, debit card fraud or check fraud in New York. As a New York criminal lawyer and former Manhattan Assistant District Attorney, I have either prosecuted or defended hundreds of these crimes involving stolen or fake credit cards, bogus checks and other alleged scams netting a few dollars to millions of dollars. While certain crimes associated with check fraud and credit card fraud in New York are not necessarily impacted by the value of the ill gotten gains (Forgery, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument and Falsifying Business Records – see other blog entries and New-York-Lawyers.org for information on these offenses), the degree of other crimes and offenses share a direct correlation with the associated theft or larceny. Beyond the “D” and “E” felonies listed above, these crimes include Grand Larceny and felony Criminal Possession of Stolen Property.

Grand Larceny: Credit Card, Debit Card & Check Fraud

July 27, 2013

I Used My Employer’s or Colleague’s Checkbook or Credit Card to Make a Purchase: Potential New York Crimes Part I

by Jeremy Saland

Fraud involving credit cards, debit cards and checks is rampant in New York City and New York State. It is likely that a day does not go by where a person is arrested for a crime relating to check or debit card fraud. After all, its fairly easy in terms of perpetrating and the results are often instant. It is not until days, weeks or months later that a complainant victim catches on or the police are notified. Unfortunately for the accused fraudster, that immediate gratification of a purchase or cash is grounds for an arrest and potentially incarceration for a litany of crimes and offenses found in the New York Penal Law. Although as a New York criminal lawyer and former Manhattan prosecutor I have encountered in some capacity all of these crimes, the creativity of the means by which these frauds are perpetrated never ceases to amaze me. While this blog entry will not address the different scams, it will address many of the potential crimes you can face if you commit credit card, debit card or check fraud in New York. Second Degree Forgery: NY PL 170.10

When you sign the receipt for the debit card or credit or you endorse or draft the check, you are altering or completing what is legally construed as a “written instrument.” Further, when doing so, you are affecting a legal right and interest. As a result, you are committing a “D” felony of Forgery in the Second Degree (New York Penal Law 170.10) that is punishable by up to seven years in prison. There is no monetary relevancy placed on the item you attempted or in fact purchased for this particular charge. The mere signing or apparently signing the name of the account holder along with these other elements that satisfies the felony offense of PL 170.10. Second Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument: NY PL 170.25

March 23, 2013

NYC ID Theft Ring Bust: Manhattan DA Charges Four in Fraudulent Debit Card Scheme – Over $200,00 & 100s of Debit Cards Recovered

by Jeremy Saland

The extent and amount of fraud that is perpetrated by Identity Theft is staggering. As a prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office who spearheaded many multi-million dollar Identity Theft, Forgery and Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument investigations, arrests and indictments, I have certainly dealt with the underbelly of these financial crimes. As a New York criminal defense lawyer and IdentityTheft defense attorney, I have also represented numerous individuals accused of the same allegations that I prosecuted for years. While I have yet to be shocked by the means in which these crimes are committed or the extent of the alleged criminal networks involved, it seems clear to me that Identity Theft will be the central or greatest crime of our generation.

Along these lines, according to New York City newspapers, the NYPD has arrested four men in another alleged large scale Identity Theft ring. It is alleged that at least four Los Angeles and Las Vegas men (Garegin Spartalyan, Aram Martirosian, Hayk Dzhandzhapanyan and David Kudugulyan) and possible other accomplices, stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from Manhattan banks by utilizing bogus or fraudulent credit cards to withdraw money and cash. More specifically, its is claimed by the NYPD that the accused were caught after one or more of the men attempted to withdraw money from “flagged” bank accounts. Further, upon investigation and the execution of search warrants, $198,000 in money orders as well as $16,000 in cash with 200 fake credit cards were recovered from a hotel room. This was on top of the $5,000 and 92 debit cards and $16,000 and 82 debit cards allegedly recovered from two of the defendants.

October 25, 2012

25 Defendants Arrested & Indicted in Queens Gambling Bust: DA Claims PinnacleSports.Com, JazzSports.Net, Wager4You.Com and PlayHera.Ag Violated Criminal Laws

by Jeremy Saland

Queens District Attorney Richard Brown has once again flexed his prosecutorial muscle and demonstrated that the epicenter of white collar crime may have shifted to one of New York’s outer boroughs. According to a press release, Queens prosecutors obtained an indictment charging Enterprise Corruption (one of New York’s most serious non-violent criminal charges), Money Laundering, Promoting Gambling and other felony offenses against alleged illegal gambling crews. According to prosecutors, the 25 men and women caught up in the sweep are not mere gamblers, but are involved in an international gambling conspiracy.

These new arrests are not the first time, nor likely the last, DA Brown has vigorously pursued illegal gambling operations. Netted in the alleged $50 million conspiracy are:

June 10, 2012

Establishing Unauthorized Use of a Computer & Third Degree Identity Theft in New York Courts

by Jeremy Saland

Prosecutors, judges and New York criminal lawyers are seeing more and more arrests for Identity Theft and Unauthorized Use of a Computer. As misdemeanors, Identity Theft in the Third Degree (New York Penal Law 190.78) and Unauthorized Use of a Computer (New York Penal Law 156.05) are very serious and very real crimes in New York. In fact, not only is a conviction for one of these crimes permanent, but a sentence for up to one year in jail is on the table.

Very briefly, one is guilty of NY PL 190.78 when one knowingly, along with a desire to defraud another, assumes the identity of another person or uses that person’s personal identifying information and either commits another “A” misdemeanor crime (such as unauthorized Use of a Computer) or uses credit or obtains money or property of another person. One is guilty of NY PL 156.05 when one accesses or uses a computer, computer service or computer network without permission.

January 31, 2012

NY DMV Clerk Arrested For Fraudulently Issuing Drivers Licenses to Individuals Including Convicted Felon

by Jeremy Saland

It is almost as if he is shooting fish in a barrel. Manhattan District Attorney, Cyrus Vance, Jr., has made another big splash announcing the arrest and indictment of a New York State Department of Motor Vehicle’s (“DMV”) clerk who is alleged to have unlawfully processed at least three drivers license applications. It is claimed by prosecutors, who are understandably concerned about this type of conduct, that one of the individuals who fraudulently obtained a license had previously been convicted of a felony and deported from the United States. Clarence Jenkins, the DMV clerk indicted for the alleged scheme, is charged with three counts each of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, a class D felony, Issuing a False Certificate, a class E felony, and Official Misconduct, a class A misdemeanor. If convicted, the accused faces up to seven, four and one year in custody on each respective offense.

In acknowledging the danger of illegally issuing New York State drivers licenses to those who are not entitled to them, DA Vance stated “… [Jenkins] may have jeopardized public safety.” Whether as a New York criminal lawyer I agree with the prosecution’s ultimate determination as to how to handle the case and seek a potential plea or sentence, DA Vance is certainly correct in his assertion. Unlike a minor attempting to get a license for the purpose of going to a bar or purchasing alcohol, fraud such as that alleged here has the potential for grave danger. Fortunately, it does not appear from the press release that this is the case.

December 9, 2011

DA Vance: Chase Bank Teller Helps Himself to a Quarter Million Dollar Pre-Christmas Bonus

by Jeremy Saland

According to New York City’s top prosecutor, a Manhattan Chase Bank teller’s passion for the Benjamins may have cost him much more than the $240,000 he is alleged to have swindled from his employer. Unfortunately for Sephoen Tsang, a Chinatown branch worker, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. has escalated the “war” on white collar crimes in recent months with equal passion to Tsang’s alleged thieving ways.

It is claimed by prosecutors that Tsang made numerous fake and false entries into the computer system at Chase Bank regarding the movement of $243,000 in funds. Although prosecutors claim that internal computer systems records from November 29, 2011 appear as if Tsang moved $243,000 from his teller drawer to the bank vault and and then again to the ATM machines, these transactions never transpired. Instead, the money was allegedly stolen outright.

December 5, 2011

What is Credit Card Fraud in New York: Examining NY P.L. 170.10 & 170.25

by Jeremy Saland

As I have addressed in the past, theft of a credit card or debit card in New York City, and in any of the surrounding boroughs or counties, will result in (at least) the felony charge of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, NY Penal Law 155.30(4). Certainly anyone facing such a charge should consult with New York criminal defense attorney experienced in credit card crimes as the felony they would face is punishable by up to four years in prison. But what about credit card fraud (whatever that actually means!)? Will a perpetrator of credit card fraud be charged with a felony? Are there other charges that may accompany a credit card fraud charge? What evidence does the State of New York have to bring to prove credit card fraud? Let’s briefly address these questions here. After all, it is important to understand the seriousness of the charges a New Yorker can face if they perpetrate one of these crimes.

In New York, one of the crimes credit card fraud will result in is a charge of New York Penal Law 170.10(1) Forgery in the Second Degree. A “D” felony punishable by up to seven years in state prison, Forgery in the Second Degree is a relatively common crime. You are guilty of Forgery in the Second Degree if you fraudulently sign the name of the actual holder of the credit card or debit card on a written instrument (i.e. the transaction receipt). Similar to theft of a credit or debit card, forgery in the second degree does not turn on the value of goods stolen (i.e. the items you purchased by signing the false name on the receipt). If you forged a signature without authority and with the intent to defraud the credit card company and/or the store (or the cardholder for that matter), then you are guilty of Forgery in the Second Degree. It is fairly scary that this one bogus signature has enormous criminal ramifications.