“Each of these accounts, from a public-school PTA’s operating funds to a home health aide’s life savings, was drained within days,” Bragg said. “We allege this operation stole credit and debit cards from the mail, and then activated them by taking over the victims’ phone numbers, before withdrawing cash, wiring funds, or going on shopping sprees. Fast-acting scams like these are on the rise, and we urge consumers to be vigilant when monitoring their accounts.”

KEP Construction and owner Kendis Paul, 45, failed to pay 10 employees for work they did on the Upper West Side between September 2023 and February 2024, according to the criminal complaint filed in state supreme court. Paul is charged with grand larceny and fraud.

On Thursday, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. announced the indictment of Kendis Paul, 45, and his company KEP Construction LLC for stealing approximately $67,000 from 10 former immigrant workers.