28043647
A man that utilized online dating sites to steal women’s identities was sentenced to three-and-a-half years behind bars.
Jaitass Dhanoa, 27, of India, pled guilty Jan. 20 to eight counts of bank fraud; three counts each of aggravated identity theft and unauthorized use of an access device; and one count of false representation of United States citizenship.
He was sentenced to 18 months in prison for each count to run concurrently plus 24 months each for the three counts of identity theft, which also will run concurrently. Following the 42-month sentence, he will be on supervised release for five years during which he may not apply for any lines of credit without approval from his probation officer, according to sentencing documents.
He is also responsible for a $1,500 special assessment, $100 fine and restitution totaling $36,447.83 that includes sums ranging from about $168 to $12,104 for credit cards from American Express, Bank of America, Chase, GE Money Bank Golfsmith, HSBC, PNC Bank and Macy’s in addition to the three victims, according to sentencing documents.
Dating back to October 2007, Dhanoa allegedly met women online, told them he was an American or British citizen working in the city for the International Monetary Fund or Deutsche Bank and opened numerous credit cards in their names after obtaining their personal information, according to the indictment. He also created e-mail addresses, opened post office boxes in their names and stole their existing credit cards. His three known victims were in their 20s with one each from Center City, South of South and Voorhees, N.J., according to police.
Each woman thought they were Dhanoa’s only love interest, but learned of the scam when credit card companies contacted them inquiring about suspicious expenditures, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
Also in this week’s Police Report:
Mummer can’t keep mum
Seeking alleged home invader
Steak-out
Loathing the clothing
Lie detector
Sneak attack
28043647
