District Attorney Hoovler and Sheriff Arteta Announces Arrest
in Dating Fraud Larceny Case
White-Collar Crimes Task Force investigated and arrested defendant for scamming
woman that he met on-line out of approximately $80,000.
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler and Sheriff Paul Arteta announced that the Orange County Joint White-Collar Crimes Taskforce has completed its investigation into the theft of approximately $80,000 from a woman who had met the perpetrator through a dating website. On July 19, 2023, Michael Benedetto, age 21, who is currently without a residence, was arrested and charged in the Town of New Windsor Justice Court with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, for having defrauded a woman he had been dating. It is alleged that Benedetto had defrauded the victim by telling her a series of lies that induced her to give him money under false pretenses. After conducting an investigation, the Orange County Joint White Collar Crimes Task Force determined that Benedetto’s documented requests for money which were based on a series of false statements to the victim constituted a Grand Larceny by false pretenses.
The allegations are that in June of 2020, the victim was matched with Benedetto on the dating app ‘Bumble’. The two began a relationship shortly thereafter. During that time, Benedetto told the victim that he needed money for various reasons, including his sick dog, medical procedures, and moving costs due to a new home purchase. Benedetto’s requests for money for various reasons became more frequent. Investigation revealed thatBenedetto had been lying to the victim in order to induce her to continue to give him money. The victim reported a loss of approximately $80,000.00 to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation was opened under the auspices of the Orange County Joint White Collar Crimes Task Force, which was created by District Attorney David M. Hoovler and Sheriff Paul Arteta in March 2023. Since the creation of the Task Force other local and state law enforcement agencies have joined. Local police agencies that joined include the Town of Newburgh Police Department, the Town of Woodbury Police Department, and the Town of Warwick Police Department. The Task Force allows agencies to share investigative resources on white collar and other complex criminal investigations. An experiencedAssistant District Attorney is assigned to aid in investigations as they progress.
On July 19th, 2023, at approximately 11:10 AM, with the assistance of the Town of Clarkstown Police Department, Village of Spring Valley Police Department, the New York State Police, and the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center, Benedetto was located in the parking lot of the Home Depot, located at 43 Hutton Ave, Nanuet, NY 10954, where he was subsequently placed under arrest and charged with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree. Benedetto faces up to five to fifteen years in prison if convicted. Due to recent changes in thelaw, bail cannot be set in the case. Benedetto is scheduled to return to the Town of New Windsor Justice Court on July 25, 2023.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Investigators for their investigation and the arrest of Benedetto, as well as the Town of Clarkstown Police Department, Village of Spring Valley Police Department, the New York State Police, and the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center.
The case is being prosecuted by Chief Trial Assistant District Attorney Richard Moran, who also aided in the investigation of the case.
“Being the victim of a violent crime is certainly a life altering experience, but being defrauded out of large sums of money by those who have gained your trust can also negatively affect victims’ lives for years,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “I am grateful to Sheriff Paul Arteta, and the other police agencies who have joined the Joint White Collar Crimes Task Force for recognizing the substantial manpower and commitment necessary to pursue complicated financial fraud cases. Law enforcement works best when its efforts are coordinated, cooperative and focused.”
Sheriff Arteta added, “These types of crimes are happening all around us, many unknowingly; deceitful criminals use many crafty tactics to gain your trust. It is unfortunate that we have to be on the defense in these situations. Think about what a loss of $80,000 would do to you or your family; it is a devastating reality for these victims. Our partnership with DA Hoovler and his staff is vital to holding the perpetrators accountable.”
This criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to afair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.