Stolen Check Ring Collared

RICHMOND, Va. - (08/19/05) -- Fourteen city residents wereindicted this week in an alleged stolen check ring that stolechecks from the mail, then made $180,000 in phony deposits in areainstitutions, including Richmond FCU and Virginia CU. Charged as heringleader was Marilyn Roberson, 38, of Richmond, who allegedlydirected the others to open accounts at the different credit unionsand banks for the purpose of negotiating stolen or worthlesschecks. Roberson also allegedly paid others for the use of theirexisting accounts to deposit the checks. The aim was to make quickwithdrawals before the victim credit unions and banks could detectthe fraud. The ring netted at least $75,000 from thescheme.