Crime & Safety
Former Waitress Pleads Guilty in Credit Card Fraud Scheme
Waitress reportedly used skimming devices to capture card data, which was then sold; several Greenwich residents reportedly affected.
[Editor's note: The following arrest information was provided by the Greenwich Police Department. It does not indicate convictions.]
A former waitress at a popular Stamford restaurant who used skimming devices to steal credit card information from unsuspecting patrons pleaded guilty Aug. 30 to one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud.
Natasha Smith, 25, of Georgia, formerly of Far Rockaway, NY, waived her right to indictment before United States Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport. She is scheduled for sentencing on November 18, 2011, at which time she faces a maximum prison term of five years.
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According to a release, Smith and a co-worker at the restaurant, Chibuzo Okafor, stole credit card information from customers through the use of “skimming” devices — also known as a “wedge.” When a customer paid with a credit card, Smith and Okafor would take the card out of view and then swipe it on the “wedge,” which would capture card information, then on the restaurant’s legitimate card verification system.
Smith would then turn the device with the stolen card data over to an unknown individual who would then have others perpetrate the actual credit card fraud. According to authorities, Smith would meet with the individual every few weeks, and an exchange of devices would occur. The individual reportedly paid Smith and Okafor $20 or $25 for each credit card they successfully swiped through the skimming device.
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Authorities said in all “approximately 92 credit cards were compromised, the majority of which were compromised by Okafor, resulting in losses of approximately $135,888.”
Greenwich Police, who assisted with the investigation, said numerous Greenwich residents fell victim to the scheme.
The investigation, which is being conducted by the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, notably the United States Postal Inspection Service and the United States Secret Service, continues.
The Task Force also includes members from the United States Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security; the Connecticut State Police; and the Glastonbury, Greenwich, Hartford, New Haven and Shelton Police Departments.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Murphy.
