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Briana Burford, Wire Fraud, New Jersey 2023
A Bergen County woman has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for participating in a scheme to obtain over $300,000 by illegally charging or attempting to charge victims’ financial accounts without authorization, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig.
Briana Burford, 27, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi in Newark federal court to an information charging her with wire fraud. Judge Cecchi imposed the sentence today by videoconference.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court, Burford made four Bitcoin transactions between October 2018 and December 2018. The Bitcoin were sent to accounts associated with carding websites, which engage in the trafficking of stolen or otherwise illegally obtained credit card, bank account and other personal identification information, as well as services and tools that one can use to engage in fraudulent activity.
The two telephone numbers used to make the four Bitcoin transactions, along with other telephone numbers, were used to inquire about bank accounts that were later compromised and subject to fraud. For instance, on Aug. 31, 2018, one of the telephone numbers was used to contact a bank and inquire about a specific bank account. Later that day, Burford, without authorization, charged a purchase of approximately $9,000 to that bank account.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Cecchi sentenced Burford to three years of supervised release and ordered her to pay $245,570 in restitution. This case is a prime example of the devastating impact that cybercrime can have on individuals and businesses. It’s a reminder that law enforcement agencies will do everything in their power to hold those responsible accountable.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations in Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Kogan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Cybercrime Unit in Newark.
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Cybercrime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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