MANSFIELD, Ohio — Fifty suspects have been identified, including one who has been arrested, for a bank fraud scheme that resulted in more than $893,000 worth of fraudulent transactions, primarily in the Mansfield area.
According to the Mansfield Police, its Major Crimes Unit and the Secret Service identified the potential/attempted fraud losses in the form of counterfeit checks, fraudulent ATM withdrawals, Point of sale and PIN purchases, and cash withdrawals from Krogers primarily in the Mansfield area. The attempts had been taking place since June 2022.
One of the primary targeted locations was Park National Bank, which suffered $491,000 in losses. The latest fraudulent activity occurred on January 25, 2023, with a total loss of $11,900.08.
According to a release, the investigation focused on a group of suspects who had been making counterfeit checks and altering MoneyGrams in the name of both business and personal accounts. The counterfeit checks were routinely deposited into a willing participant’s bank account, with the suspects then making ATM cash withdrawals and Point of sale transactions at Kroger’s grocery stores in the northern Ohio area, including several Mansfield locations, after the checks were deposited.
The joint investigation between Mansfield Police Department and the US Secret Service has identified more than 50 suspects/willing participants involved in this scheme, with Timothy Robinson charged with a third-degree felony of counterfeiting. Additional charges are expected to follow as the investigation continues and officials continue to identify other participants.
"It is these continuing collaborations between local and Federal law enforcement agencies that impact our communities," the Mansfield Police Department said in a statement.
Anybody with additional information regarding this ongoing investigation is asked to contact Det. Korey Kaufman at 419-755-9748.
