Police Criminal Complaint: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Nelson Fornah (Dauphin County)
Summary
Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Special Agent Clark Marris filed this police criminal complaint against Nelson Fornah in Dauphin County, with charges including dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, theft by unlawful taking, and criminal use of a communication facility. Attached is Presentment Number 3 of the Forty-Seventh Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, issued October 7, 2021 and accepted by Supervising Judge Lilian Harris Ransom. The grand jury found that Fornah, a caregiver for intellectually disabled adults, used identifying information of seven vulnerable individuals, ranging in age from 42 to 61, to obtain $89,418.82 in pandemic unemployment assistance, and applied in Fornah's own name for $14,508.00 in regular unemployment compensation. It says benefit cards issued in the names of five of the victims were used at the same Wawa ATM in $500.00 increments.
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49% POLICE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT |
Docket Number: Date Filed: OTNi/LiveScan Number Complaintincident Number
Defendant Name: First: Middle: Last: |
. NELSON FORNAH
The acts committed by the accused are described below with each Act of Assembly or statute allegedly violated, if appropriate. |
When there is more than one offense, each offense should be numbered chronologically.
(Set forth a brief suinmary of the facts sufficient to advise the defendant of the nature of the offenses) charged. A citation to the statute(s} allegedly violated,
without mare, is not sufficient. In a summary case, you must clte the specific section(s) and subsection(s} of the statute(s) or ordinance(s) allegedly violated.
The age of the victim at the time of the offense may be included ff known. in addition, social security numbers and financial information (e.g. PINs) should not
be listed. If the Identity of an account must he established, list only the fast four digits. 204 PA.Code §§ 213.4 ~ 213.7.)
inchoate | [) Attempt EC) Solicitation U1 Conspiracy Number of Victims Age 60 or Older
Offense 18.907 A 18902 A 18 903
O fi S111 Al 18 PACS. 1 Fi
Lead? Offense Section Subsection PA Statute (Title) Counts Grade NCIC Offense UCRINIBRS Code
PennDOT Data i
(if applicable) Accident Number C1 interstate | LD Safety Zone [] Work Zone |
Statute Description (include the name of statute or ordinance): DEALING IN PROCEEDS OF UNLAWFUL ACTIVITY
Acts of the accused associated with this Offense: The Defendant conducted financial transactions with knowledge that the property involved
represented the proceeds of unlawful activity, and acted with intent to promote the carrying on of the unlawful activity. To wit: the Defendant used US Bank
cards issued by the Commonwealth of PA for the fraudulently abtained Pandemic Unemployment Assistance funds to withdraw cash from ATMs and purchase
Western Union money orders that were then used to make deposits into his personal bank accounts and make other personal payments.
Inchoate | (3 Attempt J Soticitation (J Conspiracy Number of Victims Age 60 or Older
Offense 18 901A 18.902 A 18903
ri }2 3921 A 18 PACS. 1 F2
Lead? Offense## Section Subsection PA Statute (Title) Counts Grade ‘NGI Offense UCRINIBRS Code
PennDOT Data
‘(if applicable) Accident Number CJ interstate QO Safety Zone (CJ Work Zone
Statute Description (include the name of statute or ordinance): THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING OR DISPOSITION
Acts of the accused associated with this Offense: The Defendant took or exercised unlawful control over movable property of another with the
Intent to deprive him therof. The Defendant committed the offense during a Natural Disaster involving a catastrophe which results in substantial damage to
property, hardship, suffering or possible toss of life. To wit: the Defendant fraudulently applied for Pennsylvania Unernployment Assistance for himself and
using the identity of others, took contro! of funds disbursed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania meant to assist those in need due to and during the Covid-
19 Pandemic.
inchoate _ | [J Attempt 1 Solicitation [) Conspiracy Number of Victins Age 60 or Older
C) 3 4120 A 18 PACS. 11 F3
Lead? Offense# Section Subsection PA Statute (Titie) Counts Grade NCIC Offense Code UCRINIBRS Cade
PennDOT Data Accident
(if applicable) Number (1 interstate Lj Safety Zone 1) Work Zone
Statute Description (include the name of statute or ordinance): IDENTITY THEFT
L
Acts of the accused associated with this Offense: The Defendant possessed or used, through any means, the identifying information of another
person without the consent of that other person to further an unlawful purpose. To wit: the Defendant used the personal information of multipte individuals
without their consent in order to obtain Pandemic Unemployment Assistance through the PA Department of Labor that resulted in a theft greater than
$100,000 and to file for Unemployment benefits in the state of New Jersey.
\OPC 412A — Rev. 7/18
Donn 7 ne ao
i
*3 POLICE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT
Docket Number: Date Filed: OTN/LiveScan Number Complaintiincident Number
lo /U/U FCE210001
First: Middle: Last:
Defendant Name: NELSON FORNAH
inchoate | L] Attempt 17 Solicitation J Conspiracy Number of Victims Age 60 or Older
O }4 7611 Al 18 PACS. 1 F3
Lead? Offense# Section Subsection PA Statute (Tile) _ Counts Grade NCIC Offense Gade UGRINIBRS Code
PennDOT Data Accident
(if applicable) Number (1 Interstate 1] Safety Zone Ld Work Zone
Statute Description (include the name of statute or ordinance): UNLAWFUL USE OF A COMPUTER
Acts of the accused associated with this Offense: The Defendant accessed or exceeded authorization to access, alter, damage or destroy any
computer, computer system, computer network, computer software, computer program, computer database, World Wide Web site or telecornmunication
device or any part thereof with the intent to interrupt the normal fuctionng of a person or to devise or execute any scheme or artifice to defraud or deceive or
control property or services by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations or promises, To wit: the Defendant used the PA Department of Labor
and Industry's website in order to apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance using the stoien identities of other, ail of whom did not qualify for the funds,
and to provide fraudulent Information for his own application, resulting in a theft greater than $100,000.
Offense 18 901A 18 902 A 18 903
Cj 5 7512 A 18 PACS. 1 F3
Lead? Offense# - Section Subsection PA Statute (Title) Counts Grade NCIC Offense Cade UCRINIBRS Code
PennDOT Data Accident
(if applicable) Number {J Interstate (2 Safety Zone 1] Work Zone
Statute Description (include the name of statute or ordinance): CRIMINAL USE OF A COMMUNICATION FACILITY
Acts of the accused associated with this Offense: The Defendant used a communication facility to commit, cause or faciiitate the commission or
the attempt thereof of any crime under this titie or under the PA Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Casmetic Act 64-1972, all of which is in violation of
the Title 18 PA CS Section 7512. To wit: the Defendant used a cellular phone and/or other communication devices to fraudulently apply for PUA benefits and to
verify the identities of victims.
inchoate | [] Attempt [] Solicitation (3 Conspiracy Number of Victims Age 60 or Older
Offense 18907 A 18 902A 18 903
Lh 16 4106 Alii 18 PACS. 1 F3
Lead? Offense# Section Subsection PA Statute (Title) Counts Grade NCIC Offense Code UCRINIBRS Code
PennDOT Data Accident
(if applicable} Number C1 interstate {J Safety Zone LJ Work Zone
Statute Description (include the name of statute or ordinance): ACCESS DEVICE FRAUD
Acts of the accused associated with this Offense: The Defendant used an access device to obtain or in an attempt to obtain property with the
knowledge that the access device was issued to another person who has not authorized Its use, To wit: the Defendant used the US Bank cards {ssued to
multiple individuals, all of whom did not qualify for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or authorize the use of the access device,
KOPC 412A —
Rev. 7/18
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$6$ POLICE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT —
Docket Number: | Date Filed: OTNiLiveScan Number Complaint/lncident Number
Defendant Name: First: ~~] Middle: Last:
srendant Name: NELSON FORNAH
Inchoate | (] Attempt Ci Solicitation C1 Conspiracy Number of Victims Age 60 or Older |
O 4\7 4106 Allv 18 PA.C.S. 1 F3 |
Lead? Offense Section Subsection PA Statute (Title) Counts Grade NCIC Offense Code UGRINIBRS Code |
PennDOT Data Accident
(if applicable) Number (] Interstate C1 Safety Zone [] Work Zone
Statute Description (include the name of statute or ordinance): ACCESS DEVICE FRAUD
|
Acts of the accused associated with this Offense: The Defendant used an access device to obtain or in an attempt to obtain property with the
knowledge that the use of the access device is unauthorized by the issuer of the access device. To wit: the Defendant used US Bank cards issued to multiple
other individuals without thelr authorization.
|
inchoate | [] Attempt D Solicitation [J Conspiracy © Number of Victims Age 60 or Older |
Offense 18901 A 18 902A 78 903 |
O 18 4911 Al 18 PACS. 1 | F3 |
Lead? Offense# Section Subsection PA Statute (Title) Counts Grade NCIC Offense Code UCR/NIBRS Code
PennDOT Data | Accident |
(if applicable) Number [ interstate oO Safely Zone CJ Work Zone |
Statute Description (include the name of statute or ordinance}: TAMPERING WITH PUBLIC RECORDS OR INFORMATION
Acts of the accused associated with this Offense: The Defendant knowlingly made a false entry in, or false alteration of, any record, document or
thing betonging to, or received or Kept by, the government for information or record, or required by law to be kept by others for Information of the
government. To wit: the Defendant submitted PUA applications to the PA Department of Labor and Industry which included false Information. The falsified
information was submitted to defraud the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania of funds meant to assist Pennsylvanians who had lost their income due to the Covid-
19 Pandemic.
|
Inchoate C1 Attempt C1 Solicitation (1) Conspiracy Number of Victims Age 60 or Older i
Offense 18 907A 18 902A 18 903 \
\
O }9 | 3922 Al 18PACGS. {1 F3 |
Lead? Offense# Section Subsection PA Statute (Title) Counts Grade NCIC Offense Code UCRINIBRS Code \
PennDOT Data Accident
Gf applicable) Number C Interstate 1 Safety Zone (1) Work Zone
Statute Description (include the name of statute or ordinance): THEFT BY DECEPTION
Acts of the accused associated with this Offense: The Defendant did intentionally obtain or withheld property of another by deception. A person
deceives if he intentionally creates or reinforces a false Impression, inlcuding false impressions as to law, value, Intention or other state of mind; but deception
as to a person's intention to perform a promise shall not be inferred from the fact alone that he did not subsequently perform the promise. To wit: the
Defendant falsely filed applications for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program through the PA Department of Labor and Industry website for himself
and others, for his own benefit, Nelson Fornah used the personal information of individuals with intellectual disabilities in order to fraudulently obtain the
benefits.
AOPC 412A ~ Rev. 7/18 pace 4 of 6
48% POLICE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT |
Docket Number: Date Filed: OTNiLiveScan Number Complaintincident Number
leo fee [ea FCE210004
; First: Middle: Last: :
Defendant Name: NELSON FORNAH
2. | ask that a warrant of arrest or a summons be issued and that the defendant be required to answer the charges | have
made.
3. | verify that the facts set forth in this complaint are true and correct to the best of my knowledge or information and
belief. This verification is made subject to the penalties of Section 4904 of the Crimes Code (18 Pa.C.S. § 4904) relating |
to unsworn falsification to authorities.
4. This complaint consists of the preceding page(s) numbered 1 through __.
5. | certify that this filing complies with the provisions of the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial
System of Pennsylvania that require filing confidential information and documents differently that non-confidential
information and documents.
The acts committed by the accused, as listed and hereafter, were against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania and were contrary to the Act(s) of the Assembly, or in violation of the statutes cited.
(Before a warrant of arrest can be issued, an affidavit of probable cause must be completed, sworn to before the
issuing authority, and attached.)
(Date)
(Year) (Signature of Affiant)
AND NOW, on this date (0 (4 oO G C\ i certify that the complaint has been properly completed and verified.
An affidavit of probable cause must be completed befoke a Warrant can be issued.
— ~( ) . aeet
(Magisterial District Court Number)
\OPC 412A — Rev. 7/18
43% POLICE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT
Docket Number: Date Filed: OTNiLiveScan Number Complaint/incident Number
. First: Middle: Last:
Defendant Name: NELSON FORNAH
AFFIDAVIT of PROBABLE CAUSE |
Your Affiant, Clark Marris, Special Agent employed by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (OAG), being duly sworn,
deposeés and says:
Your Affiant has been conducting an investigation into violations of the criminal laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
This investigation has utilized the resources of the Forty-Seventh Statewide Investigating Grand Jury. On October 7, 2021,
The Forty-Seventh Statewide Investigating Grand Jury issued presentment Number 3 which was accepted by the Honorable
Lilian Harris Ransom, Supervising Judge. The Presentment attached (ATTACHMENT A) to this Affidavit and incorporated
herein by reference, recommends that the Attorney General or his designee file charges specified in the above Criminal
Complaint and Presentment Number 3 against Nelson Fornah.
Based upon the facts contained in this Affidavit and its attachment, Your Affiant believes probably cause exists to show that
Nelson Fornah committed the acts described herein, which constitute violations of the criminal laws of the Commonwealth of
|, CLARK MORRIS, BEING DULY SWORN ACCORDING TO THE LAW, DEPOSE AND SAY THAT THE FACTS SET
FORTH IN THE FOREGOING AFFIDAVIT ARE TRUE AND CORRECT TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE,
INFORMATION AND BELIEF.
| CERTIFY THAT THIS FILING COMPLIES WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CASE RECORDS PUBLIC ACCESS |
POLICY OF THE UNIFIED JUDICIAL SYSTEM OF PENNSYLVANIA THAT REQUIRE FILING CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS DIFFERENTLY THAT NON-CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS.
, Signature of Affiant)
Sworn to me and subscribed
, Magisterial Disit\ dH
My commission expires first Monday of January, A 62 Y ranean? tg te |
Or Se |
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AOPC 411C — Rev. 07/18
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INTRODUCTION
We, the members of the Forty-Seventh Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, having
received and reviewed evidence regarding violations of the Crimes Code ocourring in Dauphin,
Montgoinety and Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania, pursuant to a Notice of Submission of
. Investigation No. 9, do hereby make the following findings of fact and tesommendation of
charges,
FINDINGS OF FACT
The Grand Jury conducted an investigation into allegations that Nelson Fornah
(“Horna”), a caregiver for intellectually disabled adults, stole identifying information from
seven vulnerable individuals, ranging in age from 42 to 61, in otder to fraudulently apply for
government assistance, The Grand Jury determined that Forrah used stolen and: false
information to apply for and receive $89,418.82 in pandemic wwemployment assistance (“PUA”)
benefits, thereby stealing thousands of dollars of funds earmarked to assist thoge individuals who
are truly in need, He also submitted fraudulent applications In his own name to obtain
$14,508.00 in xeguler unemployment compensation (“UC”) benefits, In addition to swindling
ovet $100,000.00 from the state of Pennsylvania, Fornah ysed the same stolen information to
steal in excess of $12,000.00 in unemployment insurance (“UI”) benefits from state OF New yt?
Jersey,
In March 2020, the Coronaviims Aid, Relief, and Security Act was signed into law and
made PUA benefits available to those who were eligible to receive them. The PUA progtatn was
intended as a means to provide financial avsistance to those individuals who weré unemployed
due to the COVID-19 virus and who were not otherwise eligible for regular UC benefits, “The
PUA program js overseen by the United States Department of Labor and the Pennsylvania
. Depattment of Labor & Indusity (“L&I”), headquartered in Dauphin County, oversees and
administers the program in Pennsylvania, Some of the individuals who are not eligtble for PUA.
inohide retirees, inmates, individuals who are not working at all, and, those individuals receiving
social security disability benefits with no work attachment. The Grand Jury heard testimony that
it is illegal’ to accept compensation tn exchange fat filing a PUA application on behalf of
someone else, | . |
-On July 23, 2020, Fornah applied for PUA benefits, claiming that he had been out of
work since February 2020 dus to a COVID-19 diagnosis, To the contrary, however, records
revealed that Fornah temained fully employed by Keystone Human Services (“Keystone”) - -
both prior to and throughout the pandemic - - and collected regular paychecks, Accordingly, he
was not eligible to reoeive PUA benefits, The Grand Jury learned that Fornah was employed as a
direct support professional at Keystone. According fo employment documents reviewed by the
Grand Jucy,-Fornah was tesponsible for the instruction and support of individuals with
disabilities so that they can have better opportunities for growth and meaningful Life choices.
Fornab was also tasked with acting as a role model for the people for whom he cared, Ideally, he
was to be assisting these individuals in establishing meaningful relationships, helping them to
trust and communicate with others, and, ensuring thelr happiness anid safety,
Based upon the false employment information Fornah provided in his application, he
begen to receive PUA fonds on July 30, 2020, The Grand Jury learned that PUA fonds are
placed into accounts maintained by U.S. Bank and that fund reolpionts receive U.S. Bahk cards’
that operate as debit catds, One week later, Fornah began fo use the U.S, Bank catd he had been
issued and withdrew oash from varlous ATM machines, most of which were looated inside of
Wawa convenience stores in Montgomery and Delaware Counties. The Grand Jury learned that,
7/16
while Fornah’s application for PUA betiefits was eventually dented by Lé&l, he later applied for
and received regular UC benefits despite the fact that he was gainfully employed, Like his
: fraudulent application for PUA benefits, Fornah lied about his employment status in order to
unlawfully recelve the funds.
On August 5, 2020, Fornah applied for PUA benefits using the personal information for
’ thee residents for whom he was supposed to be providing care through his employment at
Keystone: AE., LT end LF. These individuals, who reside In the same home in Norristown,
Montgomery County, have varying levels of both intellectual and physical disabilities, These
disabilities are severe enough that the individuals require agaletange in performing most daily
tasks and they ate unable to safely mavigate theit suttoundings absent acound the olock
professional care and assistance, The Grand Jury learned that all three ‘applications wero
submitted electronically from the same IP address,! These applications and subsequent
verifications contained the social seourity numbers and dates of birth for all three individuals.
Fornah also provided copies of their social security cards, birth certificates and other personal
documents in order to verify thetr identities. While the applications containing the personal
information of A.B, and L.T, listed the addvess of the facility, the application in the name of LE.
contained the address of 244 Mill Street in Darby, Pennsylvania, The Grand Jury learned that
this was Fornah’s home address, In all three applications, it was requested that convespondence
be provided via e-mall. The e-mail addresses supplied on the applications aren Fornah,
While the e-mail addvesses were later changed to appear as If they belonged oA A.B., LT, and
LF, records revealed that the new e-mail addresses were oreated on the same day that the
' Ait IP addross {s a unique nunerloul address that identifies » specific device connected fo an internet network, ‘The
same IP address was also used to submit Fornah's own application for benefits,
4
6
applications were submitted to Léel from IP addresses known to be used by Fornsh and Listed
Foxnah’s cellular telephone number as the account recovery contact, .
On August 12, 2020, funds were deposited into the PUA accounts for A.B. and LT,
Within one week of the initial deposits, the bank records showed that the funds began to be
withdrawn from ATM machines in Montgomery County, Again, the majority of the withdrawals
oocurred inside Wawa convenience stores.
On August 28, 2020, Fornal applied for a third round of PUA benefits. This time, he
used his position as a caregiver to steal the personal identifying information of E.C., ME. and
RP., all of whom reside together in a home located in Aston, Delawaie County. . Fort 9 second
time, Fotnah provided. social security cards and birth certificates to apply for more free money.
The Grand j uty heard testimony that while records revealed: that Fornah created phony e-mail
addvesses fot B.C., M.E. and R.P., the address and telephone umber on the accounts belonged to
Fornah, Similarly, the applications were submitted from the same IP address, Like Fornali’s
three previous ‘victims of this scam, E.C., MLR. and R.P. also require extensive care and
supervision in. order for them to maintain safe and happy lives, All six Individuals lack the
ability to recognize dangerous situations, utilize ot navigate e-mail communications, o1, conduct
internet searches,
‘On September 29, 2020, Fornah submitted an application for PUA benefits in
Pennsylvania using the name and personal identifying information of another unsuspecting
individual for whom he was to be providing care putsuant to his employment at Keystone: F.R..
Although this application was ultimately dented, it was prepared and sent from the same IP
addtess that Fornalt had previously used in his schemes,
On October 22, 2020, the accounts of R.P. and H.C. began to receive PUA funds, Within
days, the accounts were depleted through multiple ATM withdrawals at various looations in
Delaware County, as well as through purchases made at Home Depat, Walmatt and Once Upon
A Chitd,
In December 2020, L&I requested additional verification for the PUA accounts opened -
by Fornah, The Grand Jury learned that applicants ate often asked to verify their identities and
ta re-certify the information provided in the online applications, Many state rum programs,
including the POA program, utilized the services of Dame, a thied party yondor, in order to
verify the identity of applicants, This progtam allows users to provide credentials digitally to
complete the verification process, In order to do so, representatives of 1D,me conduct video aails
with users wherein they speak with them directly and take screen shots of the identification
materials. In the recorded sessions involving the individuals victimized by Fornah, only the
victims appeared on the screen. However, it was appatent that there was someone off camera
spealdng for the individuals and showing the required identification information In front of the
camexa, The Grand Jury was also able to observe that the vietins appeared to be incoherent,
unaware of their surroundings, of, at the very least, simply unable to understand what was
happening,. While not all of the ID.me recorded sessions reviewed by the Grand Jury had two-
way sound, one partlcularly distressing video showed an upset and confused victim in a
bathroom, shouting in the audio recording, In another video, the ID,me associate informed the
petson off soveen that they could come into camera view. Although the response was not
audible, the individual off camera deolined the request. The victims in each video were clealy ,,24
unable to participate in any meatlngfiul way, and in some cases, unable to meaningfully
communicate at all.
While the accounts received consistent fund depasits through December 2020, no
deposits were made in 2021 wntil May 5, At that time, the PUA funds deposited into the victims’
accounts were substantlal, totaling in excess of $40,000.00. Fornah immediately bogan to
withdraw cash from ATM machines in Delaware County, The cards issued in the names of A.E,,
MLB, B.C. L.T, and RP. were all used at the same Wawa ATM to make withdrawals in $500.00
increments. Later that day, the same U.S, Bank cards wete used at ACME and Shoprite in
Delaware County to purchase approxtmately ten $500.00 money orders, In the following week,
neatly all of the new funds were withdrawn through ATM withdrawals, money order purchases,
and retail purchases. Many of the retall purchases oceutred at BI’s Wholesale Club and were
inked to a membership account belonging to Fornah. Addidonally, an online purchase at -
Walmart was delivered to Fornah’s home address,
The Grand Jury also discovered that, after the U.S. Bank cards were used to purchase the
money orders, some of the money orders were deposited into Frankdit Mint Federal: Credit
Union (“Franklin Mint FCU") and Wells Fargo accounts belonging to Formal. For example, the
Grand Jury reviewed surveillance footage fiom May 11, 2021 which captured Fornah using the
U.S, Bank card issued in the name of A.E, to purchase a $500.00 Wostetn Union money order at
a GIANT supermarket in Delaware County. That money order was then endorsed by Fornah and
deposited into his Franklin Mint FCU bank account two days later. During the preceding week,
$8,000.00 in money orders purchased by Fornah at ACME and Shoprite were written out to Auto
Bxchange and endorsed with the name of Fornah, On May 12, 2021 more PUA assistance funds
were received and the process began once again. In the following month, Fornah deposited or
cashed nearly $3,000,00 of Western Union money orders bearing his own name and signature at
the Franklin Mint FCU,
The Grand Jury obtained extensive sutveillance footage from Wawa locations throughout
Montgomery and Delaware Counties for dates and times that coincided with U.S, Bank card.
- activity, Based upon a review of both the video and bank records, an individual resembling
Fornah oan be seen on video making multiple ATM withdrawals within minutes of each other
using different US, Bank oards in the name of the victims, Additionally, the Grand Jury obtained
surveillance footage from ACME and Shoptite supermarkets for the dates and times. when the
U.S. Bank card was utilized, Tho videos clearly depicted Fornah as the individual malsing the
purchases, None of the individuals for whom the cards were technically issued could be seen in |
the footage. The Grand Jury also noted that a review of the victims’ cash boxes kept at thelr
respective factlities, as well as the logs kept in connection therewith, did not show any deposits
consistent with the sums that were being withdrawn from the U.S, Bank accounts,
Fornah’s schomes were not limited to the theft of benefits In Pennsylvania. On
September 20, 2020, Fornah used E.C,’s information to apply for UI benefits in New Jersey. -
The Grand Jury learned thet New Jersey’s program operates in.a sirtilar manner to
Pennsylvania’s program, requiring the applicant to have lost employment in order to receive
monetary assistance. Rather than providing a debit card for an individual to access their benefits,
however, the New Jersey program. deposits the funds isto existing accounts provided by the
applicant, The account information supplied in connection with E,C.’s purported application was
for Fornah’s account with Wells Fargo, Records obtained by the Grand Jury xeveated that the
account not only received Ul benefits totaling $7,076.00, » $5,000,00 stimulus payment intended.
for E.C, was deposited, as well, . ,
On October 11, 2020, Fornah submitted addon UI applications for New Jersey
benefits utilizing the identifying information for A.E,, IF and K.P. The direct deposit account
File and source
- File
- www.attorneygeneral.gov__b8ca5480d0__2021-10-27-Nelson-Fornah-complaint-presentment.pdf
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