Police Arrest Suspect Behind 1,800 Online Gambling Identity Theft Cases

A New Jersey man has been arrested for allegedly using stolen identities to create and fund more than 1,800 online gambling accounts with a police raid of the suspect’s home uncovering electronic equipment, cash and drugs...

44-year-old Casey Ennis is alleged to have used the stolen identities to fraudulently operate accounts with online gaming providers in Atlantic City.

Ennis is also suspected of operating a fraudulent unemployment benefits scheme which saw him similarly use identity theft to make $52,000 worth of fraudulent withdrawals and purchases.

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement called in detectives with the Financial Crimes Unit early last year after several people contacted them to state their identities were being used for gambling accounts without their authorization.

The 17-month investigation that followed culminated in a raid last month by New Jersey FCU detectives along with State Police T.E.A.M.S and K-9 Units, according to a press release.

The search warrant executed at Ennis’ residence in Audubon, N.J. uncovered more than 30 electronic devices, $491 cash, and 3 grams of methamphetamine.

Ennis was arrested and later charged with identity theft, credit card theft, computer related crimes, theft by deception, forgery, and possession of methamphetamine.

Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal stated:

“As this case illustrates, identity theft can pose an insidious and expensive threat to individuals, businesses, and government programs.”

New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Director, David Rebuck, spoke of the increase in online transactions creating “more opportunity for identity thieves,” but added a warning to would-be identity thieves.

“The bad news for criminals is that we’re keenly attuned to the threat and committed to addressing it. 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.”