Story by Ethan
On October 30th, 2024, charges against Jamil Brown, 32, and Kadija Corke, 31, were announced by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. Jamil Brown was charged with second-degree Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, eight counts of third-degree Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, ninety-nine counts of fourth-degree Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, eighteen counts of second-degree Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, six counts of Petit Larceny, seven counts of Attempted Petit Larceny, six counts of third-degree Identity Theft, and seven counts of third-degree Attempted Identity Theft. Kadija Corke was charged with second-degree Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, eight counts of third-degree Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, and ninety-nine counts of fourth-degree Criminal Possession of Stolen Property.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz stated, “As alleged, the defendant orchestrated a large-scale mail theft operation, targeting innocent victims to pilfer their bank accounts, credit cards and public assistance funds in order to line his own pockets. Identity theft is a serious crime that can have a lasting impact on a person’s credit rating, ability to buy property or even rent an apartment. We will not allow such activity to take hold in Queens. Thanks to the resident who came forward and the subsequent work of my Crime Strategies and Intelligence Bureau, the person allegedly responsible has been apprehended and hundreds of sensitive documents recovered.”
According to the Queens District Attorney’s Office, on or about September 19th, 2024, a woman in Laurelton had her credit card declined when trying to make a purchase. She then checked her bank statements which showed several unauthorized charges that the resident was not aware of. In addition to her rejected credit card, the woman applied for another card under her husband’s name, under the same account, that she did not receive. She then reported the incidents to the New York Police Depatment, and the Queens District Attorney’s Crime Strategies and Intelligence Bureau and the NYPD’s Financial Crimes Task Force launched an investigation.
The NYPD’s Financial Crimes Task Force uncovered that the secondary credit card was mailed to the proper address and activated by a phone number that later was revealed to be Jamil Brown’s. Following the activation of the credit card, six unauthorized purchases were made on the credit card. While attempting to use the card several more times at restaurants and retailers, the card was declined. The police investigation found video footage through surveillance showing Jamil Brown and his phone were present at all the locations that the card was charged. While at these locations, Jamil Brown was seen using the stolen credit card to conduct all unauthorized purchases seen on the bank account’s history.
The NYPD Financial Crimes Task Force investigation led to a court-authorized search of Jamil Brown’s residence at approximately 7:00 a.m., on October 28th, 2024. Eighty-nine credit cards, eighty-eight debit cards, eleven public benefit cards, eighteen drivers licenses, over twelve checks, fifteen mobile phones, an embossing machine, a magnetic strip reader, an encoding machine, printers and check-printing stock, and other items and tools used to create false cards and documents were recovered from Jamil Brown’s home. The investigation also revealed Jamil Brown made three-hundred and fifty-two phone calls since January 2024. These calls were made to toll free numbers to automated systems and customer service helplines for EBT cards, Chase Bank, TD Bank, and American Express.
The Queens District Attorney’s Office stated that the charges against Jamil Brown and Kadija Corke are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
