ORLANDO, Fla. – More than 40 people were charged in an elaborate fraud and ID theft ring that drained as much as $250,000 from five area credit unions over the last three years, but investigators still are looking for the woman they believe is behind the operation.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which coordinates multi-jurisdictional investigations in the state, yesterday said it has arrested 21 people in connection with the case. But 21 others, including the alleged ringleader, Vanessa Rideau, remain at large.
Rideau allegedly paid the other individuals to open accounts at numerous credit unions – including Insight Financial CU, Fairwinds CU, Martin FCU, Central Florida Educators FCU and McCoy FCU – then would use their ATM cards to deposit fictitious checks and withdraw cash before the status of the checks were detected, according to Mike Giddens, special agent for the FDLA. Rideau paid the individuals $50 to $100 for their ATM cards and PINs.
When the check didn't clear, the credit union would contact the account holder, who would say the card had been stolen, Agent Giddens told Credit Union Journal yesterday.
Of the 42 people charged, 28 are on receiving public benefits, state food stamps, which under state law could be taken away if they are convicted in the case.
