By: Richard L. Smith
A Sussex County man who admitted to receiving over $1.2 million in stolen funds as part of an international business email compromise (BEC) scam has been sentenced to five years in state prison.
The sentencing of 64-year-old Robert Herburger Jr., of Newton was announced by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin.
State Superior Court Judge Stuart A. Minkowitz handed down the sentence at the Sussex County Judicial Center, requiring Herburger to serve a 12-month period of parole ineligibility.
Herburger had previously pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property, unlawful possession of an assault rifle, and being a prohibited person in possession of weapons.
From late 2017 to mid-2018, Herburger received $1,210,377 stolen through fraudulent schemes in which scammers impersonated trusted sources via email to deceive businesses.
According to investigators, Herburger created fake companies to open bank accounts that received the stolen money. He then wired the funds to overseas accounts, keeping a portion for himself.
The schemes targeted at least ten U.S. businesses, including law firms, retailers, financial services providers, and private companies.
Herburger’s role in facilitating these scams was uncovered by the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), which traced financial losses to five accounts under his control.
“This defendant enabled scammers to victimize businesses while also illegally possessing a firearm,” said Attorney General Platkin. “This sentence sends a clear message that such conduct will not be tolerated in New Jersey.”
During his arrest, Herburger was found to have an assault rifle, which he admitted to owning unlawfully due to a prior criminal conviction.
“This case demonstrates our commitment to holding white-collar criminals accountable and ensuring justice for their victims,” added OSFFCP Legal Chief Pablo Quiñones. 
BEC scams are a growing form of cybercrime, where fraudsters use deceptive emails to trick businesses into transferring funds or revealing confidential information.
Herburger’s case highlights the severity of these schemes and their impact on American businesses.