A couple from Florida has been arrested in Pennsylvania on charges related to a multi-state credit card fraud scheme that targeted victims from Alabama to Massachusetts. According to NBC Philadelphia, Olivia Jean Baptiste, 24, of West Park, and Michael Rampal, 29, of Fort Lauderdale, used phone spoofing to imitate bank staff and trick victims into disclosing personal banking information.
Authorities have identified at least 14 victims in the South Jersey area alone, with scammers stealing more than $20,000 to date. According to 6ABC, these figures are likely to rise as the inquiry progresses. Detective Sgt. Nicholas Pasculli, who is in charge of the investigations, stressed the scope of the scam, revealing that the pair flew from Florida to New Jersey to commit these crimes.
Related posts
The fraudulent actions included the criminals pretending that the victims’ accounts had been compromised and painstakingly acquiring critical information over protracted phone calls. “They would spend 23 hours on the phone, essentially just confusing them and getting them worked up about their account information to where during the conversation they were able to obtain all the necessary information, including their debit card PIN,” Pasculli told radio station 6ABC. The pair also spent the stolen money on high-value merchandise and gift cards, which police discovered in their possession at the time of arrest.
After committing the heist, the suspects were seen on surveillance video at many sites, including Dollar Tree and Best Buy stores. According to Cyber News, police recovered “a large sum of US currency, 68 gift cards, 11 cell phones, and one laptop” from a rental car with Florida plates near Harrisburg. Baptiste and Rampal, who are currently in custody awaiting extradition to New Jersey, have been charged with credit card fraud, theft, and conspiracy. Residents should contact their bank directly if they get any strange calls involving their accounts.
Franklin Township police have issued warnings to the community, urging people to be vigilant and examine their bank statements for any anomalies. “My best advice is to hang up, go to your local branch, and verify that the information you’re being told over the phone is correct without disclosing your personal information to anyone,” Pasculli said in a statement obtained by 6ABC. To assist in preventing such breaches, Newfield National Bank has increased its security processes and issued a fraud alert on its website.
