N.J. inmate, 7 Ohio men charged in credit-card fraud ring

CLEVELAND (AP) — The FBI says it has cracked a million-dollar credit-card fraud scheme targeting Ohio stores and run by phone by a New Jersey prison inmate.

The FBI announced the arrests today of seven Cleveland men and a Trenton, N.J., man serving time at the federal prison in Fort Dix, N.J.

All are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

The alleged ring targeted credit cards issued by chain stores including Lowe’s, Home Depot, Macy’s and Sears.

The men reportedly wrangled personal information from credit-card customer service departments and used the information to become authorized users of cards issued to others.

The investigation involved communities across northeast Ohio, including many with with a strong retail presence, including Strongsville, Beachwood and Richmond Heights.