2 Bronx men accused of using stolen identities in multi-state Nordstrom fraud scheme
Paramus police say the suspects opened credit accounts using victims’ personal information and made fraudulent purchases and returns in four states.
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Two Bronx men are accused of using stolen personal information to open Nordstrom credit accounts and make fraudulent purchases and merchandise returns across four states, according to Paramus police.
Erik A. Lake, 30, and David M. Suliz, 29, were arrested Wednesday after police were alerted to a suspected fraudulent merchandise return at the Nordstrom in Westfield Garden State Plaza.
Police said an investigation determined the men were attempting to exchange merchandise that had been fraudulently purchased at a Nordstrom store in McLean, Virginia.
Investigators allege Lake and Suliz opened multiple Nordstrom credit accounts using stolen personal information from multiple victims, including names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and Social Security numbers.
Police said the accounts were then used for purchases and fraudulent returns at Nordstrom stores in Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.
Authorities detained the men after they left the Paramus mall and entered a BMW. Suliz was allegedly found with multiple fraudulent credit cards, while Lake had a Nordstrom gift card, according to police.
Investigators said more than $5,000 worth of merchandise believed to have been fraudulently obtained was found in the vehicle, including Chanel sunglasses, a Coach purse, Vera Bradley bags and backpacks, Purple Brand shorts and Rag & Bone jeans.
Both men were charged with credit card fraud, identity theft, making false statements involving credit cards, theft by deception and receiving stolen property.
Lake and Suliz were taken to the Bergen County Jail pending their first court appearances.
