Tag Archives: Crime

Hospitality Industry Crime Risks: "Large Identity Theft Operation" Uncovered At California Hotel After Manager Suspected Drug Sales

“…Deputies found fake credit and identification cards as well as computers, printers and software used to make false identification..Deputies also found credit card readers and small cameras that allowed criminals to capture credit card information and PIN numbers. Prepaid credit cards embossed with stolen information which could then be used at businesses were located..”

Sheriff’s deputies broke up a large identity theft operation this past weekend while investigating a report of drug dealing at a hotel room. Investigators contend the material found Sunday at Four Points by Sheraton at 11960 Foothill Blvd. was created using stolen information from card readers or skimmers, Rouse said.

The group allegedly started in Northern California and “have been working their way around,” he said.

On Sunday, a hotel manager called the Sheriff’s Department to report someone was selling drugs in one of the rooms.

Deputies discovered various items indicating Jeffery Wilkinson, 35, Barbara Brown, 32, and Shahin Abdollahi, 46, were involved in a large-scale identity theft ring, sheriff’s Sgt. Ken Jamieson said.

Wilkinson had an arrest warrant and was in the possession of drugs.

For more:  http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_20355205/rancho-cucamonga-id-theft-ring-uncovered

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Filed under Crime, Guest Issues, Liability, Management And Ownership, Risk Management, Theft

Hospitality Industry Crime Risks: "Large Identity Theft Operation" Uncovered At California Hotel After Manager Suspected Drug Sales

“…Deputies found fake credit and identification cards as well as computers, printers and software used to make false identification..Deputies also found credit card readers and small cameras that allowed criminals to capture credit card information and PIN numbers. Prepaid credit cards embossed with stolen information which could then be used at businesses were located..”

Sheriff’s deputies broke up a large identity theft operation this past weekend while investigating a report of drug dealing at a hotel room. Investigators contend the material found Sunday at Four Points by Sheraton at 11960 Foothill Blvd. was created using stolen information from card readers or skimmers, Rouse said.

The group allegedly started in Northern California and “have been working their way around,” he said.

On Sunday, a hotel manager called the Sheriff’s Department to report someone was selling drugs in one of the rooms.

Deputies discovered various items indicating Jeffery Wilkinson, 35, Barbara Brown, 32, and Shahin Abdollahi, 46, were involved in a large-scale identity theft ring, sheriff’s Sgt. Ken Jamieson said.

Wilkinson had an arrest warrant and was in the possession of drugs.

For more:  http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_20355205/rancho-cucamonga-id-theft-ring-uncovered

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Filed under Crime, Guest Issues, Liability, Management And Ownership, Risk Management, Theft

Hospitality Industry Theft Risks: Florida Hotel Employee Charged With Stealing $500 Of "Dom Perignon Champagne"; Picture Posting On "Facebook" Leads To Arrest

“…an employee at the hotel discovered pictures on a Facebook page of a former night auditor and a friend holding Dom Perignon champagne bottles with the caption: “Hey, we’re having Dom in the morning!”

The security cameras had been turned off at the time of the theft, according to a subsequent investigation.

A Panama City Beach hotel reported the theft of $500 of Dom Perignon champagne in February after an inventory of supplies showed three bottles were missing, according to a news release from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.

The hotel manager ID’d the man as Jonathon Appleby, a former night auditor at the hotel. Appleby had access to the cooler with the champagne and to the security cameras while he was employed an investigation determined.

For more:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/strange/sfl-champagne-20120408,0,4727820.story

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Hospitality Industry Theft Risks: Florida Hotel Employee Charged With Stealing $500 Of "Dom Perignon Champagne"; Picture Posting On "Facebook" Leads To Arrest

“…an employee at the hotel discovered pictures on a Facebook page of a former night auditor and a friend holding Dom Perignon champagne bottles with the caption: “Hey, we’re having Dom in the morning!”

The security cameras had been turned off at the time of the theft, according to a subsequent investigation.

A Panama City Beach hotel reported the theft of $500 of Dom Perignon champagne in February after an inventory of supplies showed three bottles were missing, according to a news release from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.

The hotel manager ID’d the man as Jonathon Appleby, a former night auditor at the hotel. Appleby had access to the cooler with the champagne and to the security cameras while he was employed an investigation determined.

For more:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/strange/sfl-champagne-20120408,0,4727820.story

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Hospitality Industry Employee Risks: Alabama Hotel Clerk, With Prior Arrest Record, Arrested For Stealing Guest Credit Card Informatiom

Rains says Niles got the guests information from the hotels computer database and used it for more than just their rooms.

A Mobile hotel clerk is behind bars. The Mobile Police Department says he was doing more than checking guests in, he was using their credit card information.

“While working as a front desk clerk at a local hotel he actually stole credit card information from one victim who had previously stayed at the hotel,” said Rains.

“He used this information to book hotels for him and his friends and we were actually able to catch him,” said Rains.

This wasn’t Niles first time. He has been arrested several times for charges like identity theft and possession of a forged instrument.

“He was on probation for the same crimes when he committed these,” said Rains.

Police say Niles charged a significant amount of money. Thankfully the victim was monitoring the transactions.

“As a safeguard just to make sure that your credit cards aren’t being used fraudulently the best thing you can do is check your accounts and alert your credit card provider if you’d see anything fraudulent,” said Rains.

For more:  http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/local_news/mobile_county/mpd-hotel-clerk-using-guest-credit-card

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Filed under Crime, Guest Issues, Liability, Management And Ownership, Privacy, Theft

Hospitality Industry Legal Risks: California Hotel Owner Charged With "Insurance Fraud" Over False Workers' Compensation Records

“…accusations that he dissuaded an employee from seeking workers’ compensation after a work injury and making false claims. The charges against him include two counts of insurance fraud, failure to maintain workers’ compensation insurance and passing bad checks…”

“…accused of paying approximately $890,000 less than he should have over a four-year period,,,”

The trial date for the owner of the troubled Brookdale Inn & Spa has been postponed because the District Attorney’s Office has filed more charges. Sanjiv Kakkar originally was scheduled to begin trial March 12 on accusations that he dissuaded an employee from seeking workers’ compensation after a work injury and making false claims. The charges against him include two counts of insurance fraud, failure to maintain workers’ compensation insurance and passing bad checks, according to Kelly Walker, a prosecutor with the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office.

Walker has just filed new insurance fraud charges against Kakkar and his wife, Neelam Kakkar, pertaining to insurance premiums. Kakkar is accused of providing false wage information to insurance companies to obtain lower premiums. In other words, he “grossly understated” the amount of payroll he was paying to his employees. He stands accused of paying approximately $890,000 less than he should have over a four-year period, according to Walker.

For more:  http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_20133381/das-office-files-more-insurance-fraud-charges-against

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Hospitality Industry Employee Risks: Pennsylvania Hotel Manager Charged With Felony Theft For "Activating Company Credit Card" And Making Over $20,000 In Purchases

“….(the former manager) …obtained and activated a credit card without the knowledge of the owners of Mifflinburg Hotel Inc./Scarlet D while he was employed as the manager…(he) then made numerous purchases from Oct. 13, 2010, through Oct. 7…”

A former manager at the Scarlet D/Mifflinburg Hotel is facing several felony theft charges after he allegedly activated a credit card in the business’ name and made purchases totaling $20,363.32.

David Alan Burns, 56, of 121 Georgetown Lane, Milton, was arrested and charged with felony counts of forgery-unauthorized act in writing, access device fraud, theft by deception, theft by failure to make required dispositions of funds received and receiving stolen property. He was arraigned and released on $25,000 unsecured bail.

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Hospitality Industry Employee Risks: Missouri Hotel Accounting Employee Pleads Guilty To "Stealing $170,000 From Petty Cash" Over Seven Years

Mosier was the director of accounting services at Springfield University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center. She admitted defrauding the hotel for more than seven years, beginning in January 2003, by inflating reports of spending from petty cash and diverting the money to her own bank account.

A southwest Missouri woman faces up to 20 years in prison after admitting she stole nearly $170,000 from a Springfield hotel where she worked.

The U.S. Attorney’s office says 47-year-old Janet R. Mosier pleaded guilty Wednesday to allegations in a federal information charging her with wire fraud.

A sentencing date will be scheduled later.

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/news/state-and-regional/missouri/ex-employee-admits-k-theft-from-mo-hotel/article_70d0ebf8-7847-5c2a-82b4-43288b0a9560.html#ixzz1nDl3Hzry

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Hospitality Industry Security Risks: Minnesota Hotel Office Robbery Foiled As Suspect "Falls Through Bathroom Ceiling"

“…The employees also reported they found a man…in the bathroom. It appeared that Gifford had pulled himself up into the dropped ceiling and was attempting to crawl across it when he fell through… the hotel’s main office, which was locked at the time, is next to the bathroom…”

A Pennsylvania man was arrested at a downtown Mankato hotel this morning after employees there reported he had fallen through a bathroom ceiling. Police responded to the call from employees at the City Center Hotel, 101 E. Main St., at 12:46 a.m. They said they found damage in the men’s bathroom after hearing a loud noise.

When Garrett was questioned by an officer, he said he was downtown with some friends and he “thought it would be fun” to crawl through a ceiling.

Police are requesting charges of disorderly conduct, criminal damage to property and attempted burglary.

For more:  http://mankatofreepress.com/local/x913139853/Fall-through-ceiling-foils-alleged-burglary

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Hospitality Industry Guest Privacy Risks: Minnesota Hotel Employee, A Registered Sex Offender, Installed A Recording Device In Guest Room

 Marg is a registered sex offender and was convicted in 2002 of showing sexually-natured material to juvenile females in Wisconsin. Police are now searching Marg’s computer to see if it contains recordings of other hotel guests.

Honeymooners celebrating their wedding are recorded having sex at a St. Paul hotel. The couple had been hearing noises while staying at The 340 Hotel recently. Initially, the honeymooners thought they heard a noise near the hot tub. Later they learned the scary truth.

After noticing a large gap between their door and the floor the couple noticed a recording device. Police say the device contained a recording of the couple having sex.

Police say the device belongs to a 28 year old hotel desk clerk, Jeremiah Marg.

For more:  http://kstp.com/news/stories/S2488883.shtml?cat=1&loc=interstitialskip

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