A social media influencer has been accused of identity theft and credit card fraud after he allegedly stole a New York woman’s identity to open a credit card, racking up nearly $20,000 on a series of designer handbags and an extravagant trip to Hawaii.
Hollywood-based Christian Aaron, 19, who has nearly 185,000 followers on Instagram, was indicted in Long Island on Friday and now faces a long list of felony charges, with prosecutors claiming he ripped of Lisa Caldararo in December 2017.
According to documents filed in Suffolk County court, Aaron and an unnamed co-defendant obtained Caldararo’s American Express information and had two replacement cards sent to them in her name.
The pair are then said to have spent more than $19,000 in charges, first booking flights to Hawaii and making a reservation at the four-star Aulani Disney Resort & Spa in Kapolei.
Christian Aaron, 19, who has nearly 185,000 followers on Instagram, was indicted in Long Island on Friday and now faces a long list of felony charges
His Instagram feed shows a young man living a lavish lifestyle, filled with spur-of-the-moment holidays, trips to Coachella and regularly features images of sports cars, such as Lamborghinis and Bentleys
Once on the trip, Aaron is accused of using the card to buy a number of handbags and clothes from Chanel, Dolce & Gabana and high-end lingerie brand Agent Provocateur.
The social media star even reportedly impersonated Caldararo several times over the phone to Amex, requesting to open addition cards on her account.
An additional $31,000 worth of charges were also attempted on the online luxury consignment shop The RealReal, but the retailer cancelled the orders before the items were shipped, suspecting foul play.
‘As with all of the financial crimes our office investigates and prosecutes, this was an act of greed, but this defendant wasn’t just after money; he committed these crimes in part to keep up the online persona he has crafted for himself and to get likes on social media,’ Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini said.
With over 200,000 followers on Instagram and YouTube combined, the teenager is best known for his online make-up tutorials and videos of him unboxing expensive items.
Aaron and a co-defendant are said to have racked up over $19,000 in charges, first booking flights to Hawaii and making a reservation at the four-star Aulani Disney Resort & Spa in Kapolei (Aaron pictured in Maui)
But prosecutors say the image he has crafted online is all a lie – built on greed, deception and fraud, and hope the charges against him help to deter others from committing similar crimes
His Instagram feed shows a young man living a lavish lifestyle, filled with spur-of-the-moment holidays, trips to Coachella and regularly features images of sports cars, such as Lamborghinis and Bentleys.
The 18-year-old has pleaded not guilty to a total of eight charges, including identity theft, grand larceny and unlawful possession of personal identification information.
His bail has been set at $15,000 cash or $30,000 bond, which his attorney Mark Muccigrosso says he expects his client to meet.
Aaron’s is next scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday and faces a maximum sentence of seven years behind bars if found guilty of all counts.
Speaking to the NY Post, Aaron’s dad David expressed his shock at the news of his son’s charges.
Earlier this year, Aaron appeared on the Dr. Phil Show, and discussed the pressures and anxieties social media causes among young people
‘He’s a very good kid. I can’t imagine he would be tied up in any of this stuff,’ David told the Post. ‘He comes from a good family. It’s a shame these allegations are being made. He has to have his day in court.’
Earlier this year, Aaron appeared on the Dr. Phil Show, and discussed the pressures and anxieties social media causes among young people.
‘I would always let what everyone else thought control who I am,’ he said. ‘I’ve called people peasants, I went through the whole rich phase.
‘Dogma and caving in to peer pressure, it’s a slippery slope and the end result is losing control over your own life.’