Talk about an identity crisis.
A Camden County man allegedly used stolen identities to create 1,800 online gambling accounts and operate a fraudulent unemployment scheme.
Casey Ennis, 44, of Audubon, is linked to more than $52,000 worth of withdrawals and purchases using unemployment money.
The 17-month investigation started after several people reported unauthorized gambling accounts were created and funded using their identities.
Ellis allegedly stole the victims' identities and then opened accounts with Atlantic City's online gaming providers.
The investigation also led to the discovery of an unemployment benefits scheme where Ennis would allegedly create fraudulent bank accounts using the stolen identities, then transfer funds from those fake claims to the accounts.
Ennis was arrested May 14, after police searched his home.
They allegedly seized more than 30 electronic devices, $491 cash and 3 grams of methamphetamine.
Ennis is charged with identity theft, credit card theft, computer-related crimes, theft by deception, forgery and possession of methamphetamine.
He was released pending a future court date.
“As this case illustrates, identity theft can pose an insidious and expensive threat to individuals, businesses, and government programs,” Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. “For individuals, the cost, disruption and invasion of privacy involved in having one’s identity stolen can be truly traumatic. We will continue to devote the resources necessary to investigate and aggressively prosecute those who commit these crimes.”
State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick Callahan called identity theft traumatic.
"It is, by nature, one of the most invasive and intimate non-violent crimes there is," he said. "In addition to the individual victims, businesses and consumers as a whole suffer the negative financial consequences of financial fraud. We want today’s announcement to put identity thieves on notice that we are coming for them and that they will be brought to justice.”
DGE Director David Rebuck said they are committed to addressing these threats.
“Through our own detection systems, DGE flagged the unusual activity underlying this fraud, and we were glad to work with State Police and the Division of Criminal Justice in developing the investigation that put a stop to it,” Rebuck said. "If you suspect that you or someone you know may have been a victim of identity theft, immediately call your local police department or State Police Station that services your area to report the incident."
The case is being prosecuted by the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Specialized Crimes Bureau.
