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Jersey City woman accused of stealing thousands in identity theft scheme
A Hudson County woman has been indicted on charges she used fake identification documents to obtain debit cards and steal more than $86,000 from multiple victims, authorities said.
Ibelis Gonzalez, 46, of Jersey City, is charged with theft by deception, impersonation, identity theft and a third-degree offense involving false government documents, according to the New Jersey Attorney General's Office.
Prosecutors say that between May 14 and June 10, 2024, Gonzalez used fake ID documents in the names of six victims at multiple Citizens Bank branches across New Jersey to obtain debit cards linked to their accounts.
Officials say she then withdrew about $60,500 through in-person transactions and made additional ATM and debit card withdrawals, totaling approximately $86,840.
Authorities said Gonzalez was stopped on June 10, 2024, at a Citizens Bank branch in Irvington, where she allegedly tried to obtain another debit card using a fake Massachusetts ID bearing her photograph but a victim's name. Bank employees contacted police, who responded and confiscated the identification.
"Identity theft crimes like these not only have a financial cost but they are extremely disruptive to victims' lives. We will continue to work with financial institutions to identify these crimes and protect consumers," said Attorney General Jennifer Davenport.