JULY 15, 2008
FAKE CHECKS, FAKE COMPANIES, REAL TROUBLE
ELMWOOD PARK, NJ –Anibelca Ramirez and Jose
Fernandez, both 37, were arrested this morning at their home and
charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, Special
Agent In Charge Weysan Dun announced. The fraud occurred in connection
with checks drawn on the accounts of COSCO Container Lines Americas,
Inc. (CCLA) and issued by Ramirez to fictitious companies Unlimited
Sales & Service, and J. C. World Enterprise. Both Ramirez and
Fernandez were the ultimate beneficiaries of this scheme.
Ramirez, an
employee in CCLA’s accounts payable department,
normally issued checks to vendors for shipping related services as
part of her responsibilities at CCLA. From September 2006 through
December 2007, Ramirez took advantage of her position by fraudulently
issuing CCLA checks to Unlimited Sales and Service, purportedly operated
by Michael Walsh in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and J.C. World Enterprise,
purportedly operated by Esther Cornielle in East Elmhurst, New York.
Checks were also issued to Walsh and Cornielle specifically, which
were deposited in their own accounts. At the instruction of Ramirez,
Walsh and Cornielle withdrew some of these stolen funds and wired
them to Ramirez’ and Fernandez’ personal bank account,
as well as Fernandez’ account in the Dominican Republic. Ramirez
and Fernandez then used these funds for, among other things, their
own mortgage payments, credit card payments, and home improvements.
These checks were deposited through numerous transactions. In total,
Ramirez and Fernandez, with the help of Walsh and Cornielle, stole
approximately $1.8 million dollars.
Ramirez and Fernandez appeared in Federal court in Newark before
Honorable Ester Salas, United States Magistrate Judge, this afternoon.
They were remanded into custody pending a bail hearing on July 21,
20008. Walsh and Cornielle already plead guilty to conspiracy to
commit wire fraud within the last month. Ramirez and Fernandez face
a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison and restitution up
to twice the amount of stolen funds. However, a criminal complaint
is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, every defendant
is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable
doubt.
SAC Dun expressed his thanks and compliments to the U.S. Postal
Inspection Service for their help in this matter.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney
Deborah Gannett.
