October 12, 2009
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News: CC Fraud; How Do They Do It? 18
Two Florida A&M students didn't think they would find themselves locked in a jail cell facing a life in prison instead of in a classroom facing a life of opportunity. Audrey Kennedy and Devin Paschall have been funding school using stolen credit card information. Both students have been charged with credit card fraud and identity theft after authorities investigated complaints by several victims that had visited a Circle K. Surveillance videos showed Kennedy running customers' credit cards through an illegal scanning device and then racking up over $200,000 of unauthorized transactions. A third individual was also arrested relating to the crime, Gabrielle Butler. Leon County Sheriff's Office does not believe any of the three already arrested is the mastermind behind the scam. Their investigation continues. Meanwhile, Kennedy, Paschall, and Butler have been charged with 182 counts of fraud.
A pizza maker has been arrested by Foxboro, MA police for stealing others dough. James Stratis was arrested for credit card fraud after stealing card numbers from customers visiting his family own pizza restaurant. Police alleged Stratis stole the information and used it to purchase merchandise at several other local merchants. Continue investigation has also linked the stolen numbers to other transactions into other areas as well. Stratis was charged with three counts of identity theft and improper use of a credit card under $250. Investigations of other illegal activities continue in connection with Stratis in several other counties. The moral of this story is; watch your dough while you're around this pizza baker.
Two individuals were arrested in Connecticut for stealing credit cards and checks out of local residents' mailboxes. Patricia Williams and Mark Beatty allegedly racked up over $6,500 in illegal transactions at local banks, department stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. The two have been various criminal charges including larceny, conspiracy, identity theft and forgery, bad checks, illegal use of credit cards and criminal attempt to commit fifth-degree larceny. An investigation continues and police expect additional arrests to occur.