Most media reports about fraud cover reports about large amounts of money or an alleged conspiracy of a big group of people. However, to be charged with fraud, an individual does not have to big a part of a larger crime. Even a single incident can lead to arrest.
New Jersey transit claims that more and more passengers are using counterfeit tickets on the state’s mass transit system. Printers have not only become less expensive, but advances in technology have made it possible to print even more realistic documents, including counterfeit tickets.
New Jersey Deputy Police Chief Joseph Kelly said that the agency plans to target counterfeit ticket users with a new program. The program was enacted in the middle of July and utilizes LED flashlights that highlight a small image that only appears with the assistance of ultraviolet light. This is the one part of the tickets that even more expensive printers cannot duplicate.
According to the deputy police chief, the new program has already led to 41 arrests. Each of these individuals allegedly possessed a ticket that failed to have the hidden image discoverable by an LED flashlight. Of those who were arrested, 26 were on the train at the time and 15 of them were riding either the light rail or a bus.
When the transit enforcement officer determined that an individual possessed a fake ticket, they called local police officer who boarded the train and arrested the individual for fourth-degree forgery. This charged means that an individual could face 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine.
Source: nj.com, “NJ Transit introduces new tool to catch counterfeit tickets,” Michael Lavitt, Aug. 14, 2012
If you have been accused of forging a transit ticket, our New Jersey fraud charge page provides more information about putting on a meaningful defense.