PITTSBURGH, PA – A brazen counterfeit credit card operation targeting Western Pennsylvania businesses has landed a New York man in federal court. Dashamae Wayne, 27, of Albans, New York, admitted guilt Wednesday to a charge of conspiracy, a clear sign that the feds are closing in on this ring.
According to U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady, Wayne and his crew flooded stores across the region in June 2016, racking up a staggering $91,000 in fraudulent purchases. The scheme centered around using bogus credit cards to buy gift cards and merchandise – quick cash for the perpetrators and a headache for local businesses. It’s a classic play, but one that continues to bleed retailers dry.
Wayne appeared before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer and entered a guilty plea. The court heard details of the operation, highlighting the scale of the fraud. While the plea avoids a lengthy trial, it doesn’t mean Wayne is off the hook. He’s facing a potential five-year prison sentence, a hefty $250,000 fine, or both. The final sentence will hinge on his prior criminal history, if any, and the judge’s assessment of the seriousness of the offense.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is leading the prosecution, and the case was built on an investigation by the Western Pennsylvania Financial Crimes Task Force (WPFCTF). This isn’t a solo operation; it’s a coordinated effort involving the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Secret Service, Postal Inspectors, Homeland Security, and a slew of local law enforcement agencies including the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, Allegheny County Police, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Pennsylvania State Police, and the Robinson Township Police Department. The WPFCTF is clearly taking financial crime seriously in this region.
The WPFCTF was formed specifically to combat these kinds of schemes – identity theft, fraud, and other financial crimes that plague Western Pennsylvania. It’s a multi-agency response to a growing problem, and this conviction is a small victory in what is likely a much larger battle. The investigation is ongoing, and sources indicate that more arrests are possible.
Wayne is scheduled to be sentenced on November 2, 2018, at 9 a.m. This case serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly low-level participants in these schemes will face federal prosecution and potentially significant jail time. The Secret Service and their partners aren’t playing games when it comes to protecting the financial system – and local businesses – from criminals like Dashamae Wayne.
Related Federal Cases
- Sean R. Marroquin, Counterfeit Currency Conspiracy, Pittsburgh PA, … · New York
- Justin S. Holliday, Counterfeit Cash Manufacturing, Pittsburgh PA, … · Ohio
- No Defendant Name Found, Bank Fraud Scheme, USA, 2022 · Pennsylvania
- OneMain Financial, Debt Trap Scheme, New York NY, 2023 · New York
- Marc Henry Menard, Investment Fraud Scheme, Mineola NY, 2023 · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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