FRESNO, Calif.–Police here have arrested a man who allegedly recruited more than 100 credit union members to participate in a check fraud scheme.
The Fresno Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit said it has arrested Tyrell Marquis McKenzie following an investigation that allegedly involved fraudulent check deposits being made at ATMs beginning in January. The FBI also participated in the investigation.
In a common fraud scheme that has targeted many financial institutions, the deposits would immediately be transferred from the accounts before the checks were determined to be fraudulent or stolen.
“Locating the suspect was difficult because he was careful to conceal his identity,” KMPH reported.
More Than 150 Forged Checks
During the investigation, detectives learned the suspect recruited over 100 credit union members to get access to their accounts, depositing over 150 forged checks into these accounts and causing more than $250,000 in losses to the credit unions, according to the report.
Investigators identified McKenzie as the man suspected of running the scam.
Police said detectives served a search warrant at one of McKenzie’s apartments where additional evidence was collected on Feb. 22nd.
“He was arrested without incident, and an additional search warrant was executed at this apartment where significant evidence was collected,” KMPH reported. “Evidence seized included numerous identification cards, social security cards, completed checks, boxes of various blank check stock, computers, printing equipment, and other electronics.
McKenzie has since posted bail and was released from custody, the report said.
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