In 2023, Ariel Foster, a 19-year-old student from Lasell University, was arrested for orchestrating a massive credit card fraud scheme worth £430,628 ($547,187). The scheme, which allegedly funded her lavish lifestyle, involved using her position at a jewelry store in Burlington Mall to inflate prices and issue fraudulent refunds to her personal account.
Foster, a Boston resident, was detained in March 2023 after an investigation revealed that she manipulated transactions at Lovisa, a jewelry store, in February. Over the course of three days, she allegedly executed eight fraudulent transactions. She would increase the price of items at checkout, then refund the excess amounts to her credit card.
Burlington Police Chief Tom Browne was shocked by the scale of the fraud, stating, “When I saw the amount, I thought it was a mistake. Greed took over. I don’t know how else I would classify it.”
The investigation was launched after a concerned co-worker noticed an uncleared £788,287 ($1 million) order. Further scrutiny of store records led to the discovery of Foster’s involvement. It was revealed that the funds from the fraudulent transactions were used to fund a series of extravagant purchases.
Foster bought a Tesla valued at £27,545 ($35,000), booked a £15,740 ($20,000) stay at a luxury hotel in Maui, Hawaii, and spent nearly £4,722 ($6,000) on Delta Airlines flights. In addition, she splurged £3,935 ($5,000) on Louis Vuitton merchandise.
Retail security expert David Levenberg criticized Lovisa’s security measures, saying that the fraud should have been flagged earlier, especially considering the luxury purchases made from such small transactions.
Police confirmed Foster’s presence during all eight fraudulent transactions and found evidence of substantial transfers from the store to her personal bank accounts. Initially, Foster denied her involvement but later confessed when confronted with the evidence. According to police, Foster admitted to using the money to relieve her mother’s financial struggles and to buy happiness for her family and friends.
Foster appeared in Woburn District Court after her arrest and was granted bail of £788 ($1,000). Her bail conditions include avoiding contact with former colleagues and staying away from the Burlington Mall while the investigation continues. Despite her previously clean record, the evidence against Foster is overwhelming, including bank statements and her own confession.
Her attorney has expressed plans to hire an investigator to mount a strong defense, but the case appears to be moving toward a serious legal outcome.