CONCORD — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - New Hampshire), published as received.

            CONCORD - Hayder Lefta, 25, of Manchester, received a 10-month sentence for access device fraud, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, while working as a customer service representative at the Manchester Boston Regional Airport in 2018 and 2019, Lefta copied the credit card numbers of customers he served at the airport. He then used those credit card numbers, without authorization, to purchase airline flights and meals for himself and for friends, to pay for hotels for his personal leisure travel, and for other personal expenses.

            Lefta previously pleaded guilty on April 28, 2021.  Five months of his sentence will be spent in home confinement.  Lefta was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $75,778.47 to the victims of the offense.

            “Financial crimes can have serious impacts on their victims,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley.  “This defendant’s theft and use of credit card numbers from airport customers was a brazen crime that allowed him to go on an undeserved spending spree.  As a result of the hard work of our law enforcement partners, he is now a convicted felon who will serve prison time for his offenses and will need to pay restitution to his innocent victims.”

            “With the recent increase in cyber and online crimimal activity, Homeland Security Investigations stands ready to track and pursue those who think they can victimize individuals with impunity and get away with it,” said Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent In Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston. “Today’s sentence sends a strong message to cyber criminals like Lofta that they will be held accountable for their crimes. We are grateful for the support of our federal and local law enforcement partners and the Office of the U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire, who were critical to the successful apprehension and prosecution of this case.”

            This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Air Marshal Service, and the Londonderry Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Georgiana L. MacDonald and Matthew T. Hunter.

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