Baltimore County Police Department warns of cable service phone scam

TOWSON, MD—Police say residents in parts of Baltimore County have reported receiving scam calls about their cable service. The caller urges the resident to purchase several Target gift cards worth hundreds of dollars each in exchange for savings on their cable bill. The resident is then told to call back the cable representative to provide the codes found on the […]

Maryland Attorney General’s Office joins effort combatting elder financial abuse

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown this week joined other state officials and consumer protection groups to launch PROTECT Week, a statewide awareness and public education campaign focused on protecting older Americans and vulnerable adults from financial exploitation. PROTECT Week is an annual initiative anchored around Elder Abuse Awareness Day, June 15th. One in five seniors over age 65 […]

Maryland State Police warn public about police impersonation phone scam

PIKESVILLE, MD—Maryland State Police are warning residents to be aware of a phone scam involving police impersonators that is currently active in Maryland. Maryland State Police have received reports from multiple residents advising that callers contact them claiming to be state troopers or police officers. The reports are attempts to gain financial information or money from residents. The impersonator tells […]

Baltimore man sentenced to prison in connection with counterfeit card encoding scheme

BALTIMORE, MD—A Baltimore man has been sentenced to prison for his role in a counterfeit card encoding scheme. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III has sentenced Leroy Holmes, 62, of Baltimore, to 57 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for bank fraud in connection with a scheme to re-encode credit cards, debit cards and […]

Governor Moore announces expansion of Electronic Benefits Transfer card fraud reimbursements

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore this week announced the expansion of Maryland’s plan to replace food and cash assistance funds stolen from Electronic Benefits Transfer cards. SB2/HB50, passed by the Maryland General Assembly and signed into law on Monday, allows EBT cardholders to reclaim benefits stolen as far back as January 1, 2021. “By signing this legislation into law, we are […]

Foreign national sentenced to prison after fraudulently opening bank accounts in Maryland

GREENBELT, MD—A foreign national has been sentenced to prison after fraudulently opening bank accounts in Maryland. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang has sentenced Daniel Velcu, 43, of Baltimore, to 34 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud. As part of his sentence, Velcu will be required […]

Maryland man sentenced to 33 months in prison for $1.2 million bank fraud scheme

BALTIMORE, MD—A Maryland man has been sentenced to prison for his role in a $1.2 million bank fraud scheme. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III sentenced Daniel Ongele, 33, of Bowie, to 33 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. […]

Baltimore County police officer pleads guilty to accepting bribes in exchange for firearms training certifications

BALTIMORE, MD—An officer with the Baltimore County Police Department has pleaded guilty to accepting bribes. William R. Johnson Jr., 33, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty this week to a federal charge of honest services wire fraud, for seeking and accepting bribes and kickbacks, totaling at least $16,804, to falsely certify that applicants for Maryland handgun qualifying licenses (HQL) and wear and […]