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Cleveland Man Indicted for Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud
A 41-year-old Cleveland man has been indicted on multiple counts of bank fraud, access device or credit card fraud, aggravated identity theft, and wire fraud, according to the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Paul R. Tomko is accused of defrauding 10 companies out of nearly $270,000 through an identity theft and credit card fraud scheme. The indictment alleges that Tomko used the personal identification information of another individual, identified as J.S., to obtain credit cards and lines of credit without their authorization or knowledge.
Tomko allegedly obtained nine credit cards and opened lines of credit in the name of J.S. and J.S.’s company, JMS Services Corporation, using J.S.’s personal information. He then used these credit cards and lines of credit for his own personal use, running up a balance due and owing on each of them.
Once Tomko had run up a balance on these credit cards, he allegedly made payments on each of them with worthless checks or using intentionally incorrect account numbers, thereby keeping the lines of credit in place. However, once the checks or payments were dishonored or returned, Tomko ceased making payments, leaving the financial institutions with a loss.
The indictment charges that Tomko caused losses to various financial institutions, including Key Bank, FNBO, American Express, US Bank, Barclays, GE Capital, Fifth Third, Capital One, and Balboa Capital. The total amount of losses is approximately $256,797.
Tomko also allegedly used email communication to set up an unauthorized account through JMS Services to defraud Balboa Capital out of $13,247. If convicted, Tomko’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including his prior criminal record, if any, his role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christian H. Stickan and Christos N. Georgalis following an investigation by the FBI, Cleveland Office. An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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