Numerous waiters, past and present, at some upscale restaurants are accused of taking customers' credit card information, buying items, and re-selling them for cash. NBC New York's sources say, "Several suspects are from top city restaurants like Smith and Wollensky, Capital Grille and Wolfgang Steak, as well as Morton’s in Stamford and the Bicycle Club in New Jersey" and that the crime ring "targeted customers who often paid with American Express Black cards and other high-limit credit cards."
Apparently the suspects used skimmers to scan customers' credit card information (not a new practice). After gathering the numbers, ringleaders created cards with the stolen numbers and would "test them out on taxis. If the cards worked, the suspects would go on major shopping sprees, buying up expensive goods like Chanel goods and Jimmy Choo shoes. The thieves would then re-sell the luxury brand items for cash," according to NBC New York.
It's believed the ring made $1 million; more details will be announced by Manhattan DA CY Vance's office.
