N.J. sneaker biz fraudster who duped celebs, customers gets kicked to prison

Saturday, November 10, 2018

N.J. sneaker biz fraudster who duped celebs, customers gets kicked to prison

N.J. sneaker biz fraudster who duped celebs, customers gets kicked to prison: Scott Spina, of Bloomfield, pleaded guilty in April in U.S. District Court to one count of wire fraud for illegal credit card activity that totaled about $550,000.

A Bloomfield man who sold sneakers to athletes and went into business with rapper Fat Joe was sentenced Monday to 35 months in prison for defrauding customers and stealing credit card information, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Scott Spina, 21, pleaded guilty in April in federal court to one count of wire fraud for illegal credit card activity that totaled about $550,000.

In addition to the prison term, Spina was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $516,396.33.

Spina, who went by the name "Scotty Kickz," promised his clients, some of whom were professional athletes and entertainers, high-end sneakers.

But he ended up swiping credit card numbers and using the information to buy a golf cart, an all-terrain vehicle and other items, federal officials said.

Spina also made personal purchases using credit card information provided by his customers and others without their authorization, officials said.

In addition, he contacted his credit card company and falsely claimed that numerous purchases on his account were fraudulent, officials said.

Scotty Kickz Is Teaming Up W/ Fat Joe For A Sneaker Store https://t.co/kK2Yjytx1l pic.twitter.com/oNAI7s9aYk — SneakerWatch (@sneakerwatchcom) July 23, 2016

Spina began selling sneakers online as a teenager and eventually got contacted on social media by then-Giants running back Brandon Jacobs, who asked Spina to personally deliver him the footwear to the team's facility in East Rutherford.

The teenager soon became acquainted other players through Jacobs and according to SoleCollector.com later met and partnered with Fat Joe, a rapper from the Bronx, New York.

The two later opened sneaker store UP NYC in New York City. But the relationship soured and Spina later sued Fat Joe, a 47-year-old whose given name is Joseph Cartagena.

In addition, the company that handled the store's credit card sales filed a lawsuit against both men, SoleCollector.com reported.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. #bergencounty

Scott Spina, of Bloomfield, pleaded guilty in April in U.S. District Court to one count of wire fraud for illegal credit card activity that totaled about $550,000.