Credit card scheme lands couple in jail

A Grover, Mo. couple who pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud was sentenced on July 22 in U.S. District Court in East Saint Louis.

Nathan Moore was sentenced to 41 months imprisonment and ordered to pay more than $130,000 in restitution to victims. Natasha Moore was sentenced to 33 months imprisonment and was also ordered to pay more than $130,000 in restitution to victims.

The conspiracy took place between March and August 2003 in St. Clair County, where the Moores acquired corporate credit accounts from internet retailers by using fictitious business names and false credit references.

Phone numbers provided for credit references were actually for cell phones owned by the Moores. Retailers who checked the credit references supplied by the Moores unknowingly were actually speaking with Nathan or Natasha Moore.

The Moores obtained merchandise such as DVDs, books, electronic equipment, and other goods they did not pay for, then re-sold the merchandise, often using internet auction sites.

The case was prosecuted by assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Burke.