(LibertySociety.com) – Authorities in Indiana announced the arrest of nine out of ten individuals who were involved in a conspiracy to commit fraud against unknowing customers who were purchasing fast food. Employees at the Michigan City Hardees reportedly took photographs of drive-thru customers’ debit cards to steal money from their bank accounts to bail their conspirators out of jail. Employees at the LaPorte County jail noticed large deposits being funneled into multiple inmates’ Securus accounts in September. The inmates would then bail themselves out of jail and then withdraw the remainder of their money from a card they receive upon release.
A formal investigation was opened by Captain Andy Hynek, who serves as the Chief of Detectives for LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office said that “The LaPorte County Jail and Securus were utilized by the arrestees” for money laundering. The employees were randomly depositing funds into inmates’ accounts with the “lowest bond amounts.” The investigation uncovered $14,700 in fraudulent charges by the Hardees employees. The sheriff’s office notified the victims of the scheme and reported that they were working with their banks to get the money returned to their accounts.
Three of the individuals were charged with 20 counts of fraud and criminal organizational activity. The other seven were charged with 20 counts of conspiracy to commit fraud and criminal organizational activity. Authorities arrested four of the suspects with the help of the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force. Five other suspects were arrested by local authorities. One suspect by the name of Dylnn Scott remains at large, and authorities are asking the public for help to apprehend her. Anyone who has any information on Scott’s whereabouts can call FAST at 219-608-9572 or call Michiana Crime Stoppers at 800-342-7867. The sheriff’s office told Fox News that they were glad to have caught the perpetrators early on in their scheme which began in August. Experts recommend taking extra precautions to prevent fraudsters from succeeding at stealing other people’s money.
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