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[h=1]http://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2014/08/paramus_couple_scammed_ebay_shoppers_with_fake_trading_cards_authorities_say.html
Paramus couple scammed eBay shoppers with fake sports trading cards, authorities say[/h]
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By Kathryn Brenzel | NJ.com
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on August 04, 2014 at 1:50 PM, updated August 04, 2014 at 2:04 PM
Andrew Mei
Andrew Mei, 34, and his fiancée, Deborah Fernandez, 37, face charges of theft by deception, identity theft and computer-related theft for allegedly making and selling counterfeit sports trading cards on eBay. Mei was arrested on Monday in their Coombs Drive home, and Fernandez was issued a summons, Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said in a release.
The charges stem from a scam that authorities believe started at least six years ago. Mei allegedly purchased real sports memorabilia on eBay, then made copies of the items and sold them on the website. PayPal and eBay learned of the scam in April 2014 and notified the United States Postal Inspection Services, Molinelli said. As early as 2008, Mei sold fake trading cards, rare, gold coins and bars using his name and variations of his name, according to authorities.
eBay first learned of Mei's counterfeit sales in 2012 and shut down his accounts. But in March 2013, Mei created new eBay and PayPal accounts, using a stolen identity belonging to a victim in California, Molinelli said. Fernandez's bank accounts and credit cards were allegedly used in the fraudulent sales.
Mei is being held at the county jail on $75,000 bail. Fernandez is slated to appear in court on Tuesday.
Calls to the prosecutor's office for more information were not immediately returned.
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Paramus couple scammed eBay shoppers with fake sports trading cards, authorities say[/h]
By Kathryn Brenzel | NJ.com
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on August 04, 2014 at 1:50 PM, updated August 04, 2014 at 2:04 PM
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Bergen County Prosecutor's Office
PARAMUS — A Paramus couple was charged on Monday with making and selling counterfeit sports trading cards on eBay, authorities said.Andrew Mei, 34, and his fiancée, Deborah Fernandez, 37, face charges of theft by deception, identity theft and computer-related theft for allegedly making and selling counterfeit sports trading cards on eBay. Mei was arrested on Monday in their Coombs Drive home, and Fernandez was issued a summons, Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said in a release.
The charges stem from a scam that authorities believe started at least six years ago. Mei allegedly purchased real sports memorabilia on eBay, then made copies of the items and sold them on the website. PayPal and eBay learned of the scam in April 2014 and notified the United States Postal Inspection Services, Molinelli said. As early as 2008, Mei sold fake trading cards, rare, gold coins and bars using his name and variations of his name, according to authorities.
eBay first learned of Mei's counterfeit sales in 2012 and shut down his accounts. But in March 2013, Mei created new eBay and PayPal accounts, using a stolen identity belonging to a victim in California, Molinelli said. Fernandez's bank accounts and credit cards were allegedly used in the fraudulent sales.
Mei is being held at the county jail on $75,000 bail. Fernandez is slated to appear in court on Tuesday.
Calls to the prosecutor's office for more information were not immediately returned.
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