Authorities in New Jersey say that two men have been arrested in connection to a scheme to fraudulently use debit cards to purchase diesel fuel to sell to truck drivers.
New Jersey residents Alateef Perry, 43, and Rajohn Dawkins, 25, were arrested on April 9 and charged with conspiracy to commit access device fraud, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of New Jersey.
From the U.S. Attorney’s Office:
From July 2019 through March 2020, Perry and Dawkins fraudulently used debit cards in the names of other individuals, without the cardholders’ consent or knowledge, to purchase diesel fuel for commercial truck drivers in exchange for cash. Perry and Dawkins met commercial truck drivers at multiple gas stations in New Jersey, including gas stations located in Hanover and Middlesex. Perry and Dawkins used the unauthorized debit cards to fill the drivers’ commercial trucks with diesel fuel. The truck drivers then typically paid Perry and Dawkins a fraction of the fuel’s purchase price in cash, which Perry and Dawkins pocketed. Perry and Dawkins used over 500 unauthorized debit cards and ultimately stole over $220,000.
If convicted, the two men could face up to five years in prison and and a maximum potential fine of $250,000, or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greater.