Stop Impersonating BK Grocer: DA To Accused Fraudsters

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — Fraudsters siphoned $100,000 from Sahadi Fine Foods by impersonating the longstanding Brooklyn grocery business, prosecutors said.

A complaint filed Tuesday by state Attorney General Letitia James seeks to dissolve what it calls a "fraudulent" business.

"Fraudsters stealing identities to create fake companies can do real damage to unsuspecting New Yorkers,” she said in a statement.

“Small businesses and ordinary New Yorkers have fallen victim to this scheme and my office has taken action to shut down these fraudsters."

The legitimate Sahadi business — which sells specialty foods wholesale from Sunset Park in addition to running a popular grocery on Atlantic Avenue — fell victim to fraudsters who used a nearly identical name — Sahadi Fine Food Products — and the store's actual address, prosecutors said.

The fraudsters opened up a bank account and diverted $100,000 in checks to it, authorities said.

Pat Whelan, who helps run Sahadi's Fine Food, thanked prosecutors for taking action to stop the fraudsters.

“This fraud is causing real harm to small businesses,” he said in a statement.

Business owners and people who believe their address or name is being used in association with a corporation that they are not affiliated with, can file an online complaint with OAG Consumer Frauds Bureau.