Man Scams His Sonoma Co. Facebook 'Friends' Out Of $60K: Police

Santa Rosa police have arrested a man on suspicion of grand theft and fraud that involved contacting victims through Facebook.

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office and Redwood Credit Union’s loss prevention department also were involved in the investigation, which began Friday and led to the arrest of Ahmad Rashad Carter, 20, of Chicago, Illinois.

At least five Redwood Credit Union customers lost a total of nearly $60,000, and almost all of them were tricked into providing their personal account information, Santa Rosa police Sgt. Josh Ludtke said.

The suspect or suspects became friends with the victim through Facebook, and after a short period of time, offered the victims a quick way to make money by accepting checks into the victims’ accounts, Ludtke said.

The victims gave the suspect their personal log-in information and credentials, and using mobile deposit the suspect would then deposit a number of checks into the victims’ accounts over several days, Ludtke said.

After 3-5 days, the suspect would direct the victims to withdraw the money he had deposited into the victims’ accounts minus a 10 percent profit for the suspect, Ludtke said. When the victims removed the money from their accounts, the suspect gave them an account number at another financial institution and directed the victims to deposit the money into that account, Ludtke said. A few days later, the checks that were deposited via mobile deposit were found to be fraudulent, Ludtke said.

At least one of the victims had met the suspects in person and delivered cash, Ludtke said.

Santa Rosa police detectives coordinated an undercover operation Friday where a “victim” was to meet the suspects at a pre-arranged location and deliver money. Carter was arrested when he showed up, Ludtke said. Police found evidence Carter had conspired with other suspects in other parts of the country to work the scam, Ludtke said.

Carter was arrested for grand theft, fraud, using a computer system to commit financial crimes and conspiracy to commit fraud, Ludtke said. Ludtke said the investigation is ongoing and there may be additional victims and banks that have not yet been identified.

Anyone with information is asked to call Santa Rosa police at (707) 543-4112.

Police said there are numerous national scams that involve fraudulent check deposits by using phone or social media contact and sending funds through Western Union, MoneyGrams, electronic transfers or personal delivery.

--Bay City News

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