January 28, 2016
Authorities in Glassboro, N.J. have charged nine students at Rowan University for the alleged theft of more than $35,000 in a scheme to pad university debit card accounts through bogus returns at a local convenience store.
University officials first warned police of suspicious activity at a 7-Eleven location on Rowan Boulevard late last month. The unusual returns involved the university's "Boro Bucks" debit system that enables students to use a Rowan card to shop at participating local businesses.
Investigators traced the alleged scheme to Kwadwo Brefo-Boateng, a Rowan student and employee of the 7-Eleven in question. Police claim the 21-year-old Lindenwold man was illegally crediting the accounts of friends through fraudulent merchandise returns.
Initially, investigators found five students who allegedly received money in the scheme, but later charged three more students and issued summonses for them to appear in court.
On Jan. 14, Brefo-Boateng turned himself in to Glassboro Police and posted $7,500 full cash bail. The remaining eight students charged in the scheme have had bail set at $1,000 apiece.
In the wake of the investigation, Rowan University has adopted new accounting procedures that allow for speedier identification of nefarious activity on Rowan Cards through the Boro Bucks system. Due to federal privacy rules protecting students, the university is barred from disclosing disciplinary action.
