The accused leader of an Englewood ring that used stolen credit cards to buy more than $100,000 in merchandise from websites and electronics stores in North Jersey also swindled women on online dating sites out of $10,000, New Jersey State Police said.
Detectives seized computers, tablets, mobile phones, televisions, audio equipment, cookware, jewelry, clothing, credit cards, a Mercedes Benz and $10,000 in cah as part of “Operation Parcel Post.” They also froze a bank account worth $12,500.
Lewis Agyeman, the accused ringleader, bought the merchandise online and directed associates to pick up packages at various locations, the NJSP said.
He also created a bogus dating profile that he used to con women out of $10,000, they said.
Describing himself as 6-foot-tall Latino man with a different name, Agyeman established online relationships with women, then made up emergency situations to get them to send him money, the State Police said.
All five arrested were charged with conspiracy, theft by deception, fencing, receiving stolen property, shoplifting and credit card theft.
Agyeman also was charged with trafficking in personal identifying information, impersonation and an additional count of theft by deception.
Participating in “Operation Parcel Post” were members of the New Jersey State Police Cyber Crimes Unit, Missing Persons Unit, Digital Technology Investigations Unit, T.E.A.M.S. Unit, Canine Unit and Troop B Tactical Patrol Unit, as well as the FBI, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and Englewood Police Department.
Those charged and their bails (all are from Englewood):
Lewis Agyeman, 29, $95,000
Alexis Owusu, 32, $75,000
Philliana Rivers, 21, $75,000
Kimberly Findlay, 21, $75,000
James Owusu, 31, $75,000
MUGSHOTS: Courtesy NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE