Six suspects have been arrested in reference to stealing private data from greater than 100 victims together with dozens of senior residents, Lawyer Basic Ashley Moody introduced Tuesday.
The arrests have been a part of a multi-agency investigation between Moody’s workplace, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Workplace, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Workplace and the St. Petersburg Police. Division.
The arrested embody Samishia Askew, Gregory Engram, Carnessa Rouse, Towan Rush, Donta White and Valisha Williams who every used victims’ private data to acquire bank cards.
In all, the suspects allegedly stole. Greater than $650,000.
“I am outraged that anyone would target Florida seniors in this way—stealing their identities to open fraudulent credit card accounts. We will not allow criminal organizations to prey on seniors in Florida, and my Office of Statewide Prosecution will continue to partner with our great law enforcement agencies to stop fraud and ensure those that would exploit Floridians—especially our seniors—will face justice,” Moody mentioned.
The investigation discovered criminality relationship again to January 2017, which continued till the top of April 2018.
The suspects allegedly bought the victims’ private identification on-line after which used the data to use for bank cards, which have been despatched to varied addresses throughout the state.
The suspects then reportedly listed aliases as licensed customers in an effort to make fraudulent purchases. The suspects additionally used pretend drivers licenses to help within the theft.
Bank cards have been used to purchase merchandise, pay hire and utilities, hire luxurious vehicles and resort rooms, purchase airline tickets and acquire cash. The criminality occurred in Hillsborough, Pinellas and St. Lucie counties.
Engram, one of many six defendants, is presently ending a jail sentence and California and will likely be extradited to Florida when that sentence is full.
State prosecutor George Bedell will prosecute the case.
Not one of the circumstances are affiliated with the continued COVID-19 pandemic.
