2 arrested for credit card theft, identity fraud targeting Southern California victims

Two suspects were arrested for credit card theft and identity fraud that targeted victims across Southern California.

The suspects were identified as Veronika Kushnareva, 32, from San Jose, and Richard Kissinger, 40, from Walnut, according to the Costa Mesa Police Department.

In late February, a victim told police they had been waiting to receive their credit card in the mail but it never arrived. The stolen card was located after the suspects used it to make purchases at a Newport Beach hotel.

When officers arrived at the hotel, they quickly spotted the pair. The vehicle they were using had also been reported stolen.

The female suspect, Kushnareva, was located in a hotel room where police found a collection of blank business checks, a laptop, a printer, fake money, and a high-end radio jammer. Photos of the arrest also showed a collection of stolen credit cards in the room.

Kushnareva was arrested for possession of property used with the stolen credit card and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The second suspect, Kissinger, was found “lurking in a stairwell of a nearby motel” by officers searching the area on foot. He was identified as the one who allegedly used the stolen card and was driving the stolen vehicle, police said.

Detectives said victims and businesses who had credit cards stolen by the suspects included residents from Costa Mesa, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and Fontana. Police have successfully contacted 15 victims and are searching for more.

Anyone with information on the case or who may be a victim of mail theft or credit card fraud is asked to email Detective Sally Ortiz at sortiz@costamesaca.gov.