The world of social media has consumed us all, it seems. Now word is coming out of Atlanta of a fraud ring that used Facebook to steal thousands. Police report that the fraud ring stole at least $175,000 from Atlanta resident Terance Fowler’s Charles Schwab investment account.
The group was very sophisticated in its operation. According to police, the fraud ring somehow got Fowler’s cellphone number and other identifying information. Using that information, the group was able to convince the bank to transfer $175,000 to different banks. The fraud ring changed his bank information so that calls went to an untraceable cellphone number where someone pretended to be Fowler and the transaction was confirmed.
Police are now looking for Tanya Monique Peel who they believe is part of the fraud ring. Law enforcement matched her ‘sexy’ Facebook photo to bank surveillance video and identified the North Carolina resident when she used her driver’s license to pick up the cash. For now, the bank has refunded the cash back to Fowler, however police state that his case is not unusual these days. Atlanta Police Detective Ken Stapler told the AJC newspaper, “six-figure identity thefts are increasingly common in the metro Atlanta region as professional criminals target people’s life savings and investment accounts.”
A reward of $2,000 is being offered by Crime Stoppers of Atlanta for information that leads to the arrest and indictment of Peel. In addition, people can leave confidential tips at 404-577-TIPS (8477), online www.crimestoppersatlanta.org or by texting CRIMES (274637).
