Editors Note: The mechanic shop is in no way affiliated with the gas station discussed in this story.
OCEAN COUNTY – A former employee was charged by officials in relation to allegations of consumer fraud committed at a Lakehurst gas station.
Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs Director Ronald Heinzman and Borough Police Chief Matthew Kline reported that Sukhchain Singh allegedly took consumers’ information from their credit card purchases at the Fuel 4 Gas Station located at 99 Route 70, Lakehurst.
He allegedly photographed the information and made thousands of dollars in personal purchases with the consumers’ credit card information.
The County Department of Consumer Affairs were notified by Lakehurst Police after receiving a complaint that a consumer may have been a victim of the use of a “skimming device” at one of the gas pumps. This is a small device that thieves place on or above the card readers at gas pumps or ATMS to copy and steal consumer credit card information.
These incidents started in August 2023 and the last complaint was reported last month. Heinzman said the Division of Weights and Measures under the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs routinely inspects gas pumps throughout Ocean County and if a skimming device is identified, the local police department or Prosecutor’s Office is notified.
Consumer Affairs Investigators and Borough Police determined that the management of the gas station fired Singh in April when they became aware of his alleged actions. The current owner of the business who was cooperative with this investigation called the former employee up on the premise that he was getting his old job back.
When he arrived at the station, he was greeted by Consumer Affairs Investigators and Lakehurst police. After the on-scene investigation, it was determined that Singh allegedly took consumers’ information from their credit card purchases and made thousands of dollars in personal purchases.
Chief Kline said Singh was taken into custody without incident and later charged by Officer Christian Hernandez with fraudulent use of a credit card and theft.
Singh, who at one time had a previous Lakehurst address, was currently staying in the Brooklyn, New York area and here on a passport from India.
Kline and Heinzman noted this is the perfect example of interagency cooperation where both departments worked together to identify the perpetrator and attempt to bring relief to the consumers affected.
Use of an actual skimming device was ruled out and the Chief advised his charges have been transferred to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office for further action.
Singh was charged with five counts of fraud (Civil) and faces up to $50,000 in fines if convicted on the fraud complaints.
Anyone with information regarding this case can reach out to Officer Hernandez of the Lakehurst Police Department at 732- 657-7811 or Investigator Anthony Fontana of the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs at 732- 929-2105.
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