On January 30, 2011 at 12:30 p.m., a resident reported that he suspected that he was a victim of a scam. The victim wired $2,348 to a suspect, Luz Rivera. The money was wired over a period of two days on January 28th and 29th, 2011; nine (9) different times in amounts ranging between $200 and $300 for fees related to a promise of employment including uniforms, a background check, application costs, drug tests, a computer, and identification cards.
The victim learned through Western Union the money was retrieved in Manhattan, New York.
The victim stated an acquaintance spoke to him about a job offer with American Airlines that he had heard of through a friend of a friend. The acquaintance stated that he had learned of this job, but could not take the job himself because he would not pass a background check. The victim contacted an individual who identified himself as Raphael Roman. The suspect stated that there was a job available with American Airlines, but that there were certain fees the victim would have to pay in advance of being employed. The victim was told after the payment of fees he would be picked up at 9:30 a.m. by transportation for an interview with American Airlines at Newark Liberty International Airport. When the transportation never arrived he became concerned and went to the airport himself where he spoke to employees of American Airlines who stated that he was likely the victim of a scam and advised him to contact the police as well as airline security.