Brooklyn Man Arrested, Charged With Hacking Into Online Accounts Of Wegmans Customers

CONTACT: Barbara Burns   
PHONE:       (716) 843-5817 
FAX #:          (716) 551-3051  

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Maurice Sheftall, 23, of Brooklyn, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with fraud and related activity in connection with computers and wire fraud. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, the defendant is accused of obtaining the credentials, including logins and passwords, of customers who had accounts on the wegmans.com website. Sheftall attempted to access approximately 74 different customer accounts, with approximately 59 of these attempts proving successful. Subsequently, the defendant placed approximately 25 fraudulent orders of groceries and other goods, totaling approximately $10,000.

Sheftall made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and was released on conditions.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia. 

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  
 
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