TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—The Office of Attorney General James Uthmeier has charged eight individuals in connection with a bank fraud scheme amounting to $8.8 million. The operation began when three bank employees allegedly shared and sold senior customers’ account information via an encrypted messaging app.
“Today, we announced the takedown of eight criminals who targeted seniors and stole $8.8 million from over 230 victims. They’re facing charges such as RICO, criminal use of personal information, and other serious felonies,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “I’m grateful for the hard work of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in hunting these fraudsters down. Our Office of Statewide Prosecution will now get to work and hold them accountable.”
“This wasn’t some small-time scam, this was a well-organized fraud ring stealing millions from innocent victims across the country,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “They thought they could hide behind mobile apps and fake accounts, but we found them, and we’ll continue to go after anyone who targets hardworking people’s life savings. Racketeering is a serious crime, and we will pursue as many felonies as possible against each one of these suspects.”
The investigation revealed that defendants used victims’ personal details to transfer money into accounts they controlled. The stolen funds were either distributed among themselves or used for purchases like buying cars.
Three Maryland bank employees identified as Barbara Frazee, Camala Shafer, and Antonio Penn are accused of providing the stolen information. Penn allegedly accessed bank user data using his co-workers’ credentials and sold it through an encrypted app.
Those charged include:
– Barbara Frazee from West Virginia faces conspiracy to commit RICO (F1) among other charges.
– Camala Shafer from Maryland is charged with accessing computers without authorization (F3).
– Antonio Penn from Maryland faces multiple charges including racketeering (F1) and organized fraud (F1).
– Okeroghene Akushe from Missouri is charged with racketeering (F1) among others.
– Michael Nevarez from Lakeland faces several charges including grand theft more than $20k (F2).
– Roshado Durrant from Lakeland faces numerous charges including racketeering (F1).
– Hassan Phillips from Maryland is charged with racketeering (F1) among others.
– Kevin Clayton from Lakeland faces several charges including grand theft more than $20k (F2).
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and law enforcement officials from Maryland, Virginia, Allegany County, and Florissant Police.
Bureau Chief Whitney Mackay along with Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Kelli Llona will handle the case.
