Hakeem Lee
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Majda Hodzic-Lee
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In early February 2024, the United States Postal Service reported to the Secaucus Police that they intercepted a package that contained approximately $52,000.00 in money orders that was believed to be sent by an elderly victim who was “scammed.” The package was destined for an Edna Place residence in Secaucus. Numerous packages similar this one were previously delivered to the Edna Place residence in the recent past.
The Secaucus Police Detective Division launched an investigation, which was spearheaded by Detective Sean Egan. The investigation revealed that during the course of 2023 numerous victims from across the United States, in states including Florida, Minnesota, Arizona, Kansas, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Nebraska were scammed out of over 2.2 million dollars, collectively. The scammers would contact victims by phone and claim the victim won the Publishers Clearing House Lottery and would receive a variety of winnings, including vehicles and large sums of money. However, the victims were required to send cash, money orders and/or gift cards for taxes, fees and IRS payments.
It is still unknown if Hakeem Lee or Majda Hodzic-Lee, both of Edna Place in Secaucus, ever made phone calls to the victims themselves, but after scouring their banking records it was discovered that $1,101,707.71 in currency, believed to be sent from the Publishers Clearing House Lottery scam victims passed through individual bank accounts belonging to both Akeem Lee and Majda Hodzic-Lee. Additionally, money was transferred to separate accounts for businesses that Akeem Lee and Majda Hodzic-Lee own, such as Oxi Nation, a trucking company, and European Sparkle, a cleaning company. Additionally, banking records showed large amounts of money was sent to businesses suspected to belong to co-conspirators, in Florida, Canada, Jamaica and Japan.
On March 27, 2024, detectives from the Secaucus Police Department arrested Akeem Lee, 30 and Majda Hodzic-Lee, 42. A court authorized search of their Edna Place residence, their 2019 Range Rover and 2013 Mercedes Benz was conducted. During the searches a large amount of banking documents, computers and cell phones were seized.
“This case is a respresentative example of the determination put forth by members of the Secaucus Police Department in the pursuit of justice for the innocent victims who were scammed,” Chief Dennis Miller said. “These elaborate scams provide sources of income for criminals and it is extremely gratifying to make them answer for their crimes. I want to thank the United States Postal Police for their participation in this investigation.”
Akeem Lee and Majda Hodzic-Lee were each charged with Money Laundering [2C:21-25], Conspiracy to Commit Theft by Deception [2C:5-2a(1)/2C:20-4] and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering [2C:5-2a(1)/2C:21-25]. Pursuant to Criminal Justice Reform they were both released on summonses, pending their appearances in Court.
These charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The investigation is ongoing and the Secaucus Police Detectives have been in touch with police agencies from others states and additional charges may be filed and/or additional arrests may be made.
