Jackson woman claimed identity theft to avoid nearly $10,000 in gambling debt, cops say

May 5, 2014

Written by Kevin Pentón

Diana Zolla / COURTESY NJ ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE

JACKSON — A township woman tried to pass off nearly $10,000 in gambling debt as the result of identity theft, police said.

Diana Zolla, 31, told investigators that someone used her maiden name to create an online gaming account, racking up a $9,565 loss, police said.

After reviewing banking, online gaming and Internet service provider records, investigators with the New Jersey State Police’s Casino Gaming Bureau and the Financial Crimes Investigations Unit determined that Zolla created the account herself, authorities said.

Zolla was charged with third-degree theft by deception. She was released pending a future appearance at Atlantic County Superior Court.

Since Internet gambling became legal in New Jersey last November, more than 291,000 accounts have been opened, according to the Division of Gaming Enforcement.

“People who gamble online may be tempted to fabricate an identity theft complaint in order to avoid paying their debt,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, in a statement. “This criminal activity can only make a bad situation worse.”


http://www.app.com/article/20140505/NJNEWS14/305050045/Jackson-woman-claimed-identity-theft-avoid-nearly-10-000-gambling-debt-cops-say?nclick_check=1