A brazen USPS mail carrier has been arrested for targeting victims on her mail route in a massive fraud and identity theft scheme, authorities said.
Tameka Babulal, 38, a/k/a “Tameka Williams,” a/k/a “Sharniece Williams,” a/k/a “Meek Williams,” was arrested this morning in Hempstead, New York, along with her husband Joel Babulal, 35, a/k/a “Joel Nical Babulal,” for their alleged roles in the scheme.
According to authorities, Babulal used her position as a mail carrier to steal credit cards, checks, and identities from her victims, who were primarily residents and businesses in her Mount Vernon, New York, mail route. She then allegedly used this information to open fraudulent accounts, deposit altered checks, and attempt to use stolen credit cards for personal gain.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said, “The charges against the defendants reflect this Office’s continued commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to protect the U.S. mail system. As alleged, Tameka Babulal abused her position as a mail carrier, targeted victims on her mail route, and stole their identities to carry out an extensive and calculated scheme to line her and her co-conspirators’ pockets.”
USPS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi added, “U.S. Postal Service employees who betray the American Public’s trust by using their position for personal gain will be thoroughly investigated by the Special Agents of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.”
As alleged in the Complaint, Babulal’s actions included stealing checks mailed from victims, stealing credit cards mailed to victims, and depositing altered checks into personal financial accounts. She also allegedly coordinated with co-conspirators to obtain the personal identifying information of victims she targeted on her mail route.
During a search of the Babulals’ residence, law enforcement recovered dozens of credit cards and checks in other people’s names, including “washed” checks, several bundles of undelivered mail, social security cards and tax documents in other people’s names, and 17 phones, including phones alleged to have been used in the fraud scheme.
The defendants appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy and are expected to face federal charges related to the alleged scheme.
This case is a stark reminder of the importance of protecting the integrity of the U.S. mail system and the consequences of abusing one’s position of trust.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
