Garfield Woman Charged With Bilking Nearly $1 Million From Multiple Victims
Friday, March 28, 2025, 12:10 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, by Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
GARFIELD, NJ.- On Wednesday, March 26, 2025, following a nearly year-long investigation by Detectives of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, a 39-year-old Garfield, New Jersey, woman was taken into custody and jailed after being charged in connection with a a nearly seven-year theft scheme.
According to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, in May 2024, the Lodi Police Department contacted members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit regarding an alleged large-scale theft scheme. During the ensuing investigation, Detectives uncovered that Bhavna Anand, 39, of Garfield, New Jersey, stole the identity of at least three acquaintances on multiple occasions beginning in January 2017 and lasting through December 2024.
Detectives Uncover Massive Theft Scheme
   During that time frame, Anand stole around $787,556 by utilizing their personal identifying information to gain access to their personal bank accounts, investment accounts, and life insurance accounts, transferring funds from the victims’ accounts to accounts under the control of Anand.
During the course of the investigation, Detectives further uncovered that beginning in January 2023, Anand, using her position as a freelance travel agent, defrauded customers throughout the State of New Jersey by collecting just around $109,000 from 82 victims for travel arrangements that she promised them but failed to deliver and failed to return the money.
Additionally, Detectives further learned on April 4, 2024, Anand borrowed a vehicle from a friend and was pulled over by members of the Lodi Police Department for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, Anand concealed her identity and impersonated the car’s owner.
On Wednesday, Anand was taken into custody in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, and formally charged with two counts of second-degree Theft by Deception; two counts of second-degree Criminal Impersonation; and two counts of third-degree Criminal Impersonation. Anand was processed on the charges and was remanded to the Bergen County Jail, pending future court proceedings in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, New Jersey.
“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”
