Aharon Lev, Wire Fraud, New Jersey 2016

Two Men Charged in $8 Million Credit Card Fraud

NEWARK, N.J. – In a brazen scheme to defraud a credit card company out of over $8 million, two men have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

Aharon Lev, a/k/a “Aaron Lev,” a/k/a “Aron Lev,” a/k/a “David Gold,” a/k/a “David Monroe,” 33, of Lakewood, New Jersey, and Timothy Gibson, 43, of Lehi, Utah, are the defendants in this case.

From August 2014 through May 2016, Lev recruited individuals to give him their personally identifiable information, such as names and Social Security numbers, which he used to open numerous small-business accounts in their names with the victim credit card company. With Gibson’s assistance, Lev then used those accounts to make purchases that generated rewards points, which could be redeemed for frequent-flyer miles with various airlines.

Once the points were issued, Lev cancelled the purchases and sold the points to Gibson, who resold them to third parties for use as miles to purchase airfare. Over two years, the scheme cost the credit card company more than $8 million in fees paid to the airlines for acceptance of points for miles.

Lev is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. Each charge of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, restitution, and forfeiture. Each charge of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, to be served consecutive to any sentence on the wire-fraud and conspiracy charges.

Gibson will make his initial appearance at a date to be determined. Aharon Lev, 33, of Lakewood, New Jersey, was previously charged by complaint and released on bond to Israel; he is required to return to New Jersey by June 9, 2020, to be arraigned on the indictment.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/two-men-charged-8-million-credit-card-fraud