An investigation has led to the arrest of two people in connection with an alleged scam that cost victims thousands of dollars across the eastern United States.
Police said a Florida couple was arrested near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and is now awaiting extradition to New Jersey to face charges tied to a multi-state credit card fraud scheme. The charges include credit card fraud, theft, and conspiracy.
Between November and December, the Franklin Township Police Department in New Jersey received several reports of credit card fraud involving customers of a local bank. Investigators have identified 14 victims in South Jersey so far, and they expect that number to grow as the investigation continues.
Authorities identified the suspects as Olivia Jean Baptiste, 24, of West Park, Florida, and Michael Rampal, 29, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Police said the pair impersonated members of the bank’s security team during phone calls with victims. Detectives believe they used a cell phone application to make their calls appear as if they were coming from the bank. During the calls, the suspects falsely claimed the victims’ accounts had been compromised and asked for personal information under the guise of verification.
Investigators said Baptiste and Rampal rented vehicles in Florida and traveled to the New Jersey area to carry out the scheme. After collecting enough personal information, they allegedly accessed victims’ accounts and transferred money onto gift cards purchased at dollar stores throughout the region. Police also said the suspects used stolen funds to buy high-end items at a Best Buy in Vineland, New Jersey. The total amount taken from bank customers has surpassed $22,000.
On Dec. 18, investigators learned that the suspects had rented another vehicle and were in the Harrisburg area. The Lower Paxton Township Bureau of Police located the pair driving a rental car with Florida license plates and conducted a traffic stop. Officers arrested them on an unrelated drug charge.
Lower Paxton detectives later obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. During the search, police found a large amount of U.S. currency and 68 gift cards believed to have been purchased using stolen credit card information. Investigators also recovered 11 cell phones and a laptop, which they believe were used in the scam and were turned over to Franklin Township authorities.
Baptiste and Rampal now face charges of credit card fraud, theft, and conspiracy, with additional charges expected as the investigation moves forward. They are being held at the Dauphin County Jail while awaiting extradition to New Jersey.
According to 6ABC News, investigators believe the suspects targeted bank customers in multiple states, ranging from Alabama to Massachusetts.
Detective Dylan Colclough of the Franklin Township Police Department led the investigation.
The charges against Baptiste and Rampal are accusations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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