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Georgia CyberCrime Task Force

Financial Identify Fraud by Computer
By: Special Agent Sandra J. Putnam, CFE

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Financial Identity Fraud happens everyday to thousands of victims. This case is a prime example of how a “computer literate” suspect can take it to the cyberspace level of criminal activity. This case shows how the computer and the Internet can be utilized in an Identity Fraud case.

In October 2000, the GBI Financial Investigations Unit started an investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation on an alleged Identity fraud and theft case involving stolen American Express credit cards.

An individual was using Corporate Officer’s American Express card numbers that he obtained from his course of business to open an Internet account with America On-Line and proceeded to order “high-dollar” video projector equipment and laptops via the Internet. This case came to the attention of the FBI when some of the American Express card victims started receiving their monthly statements with purchases in excess of $5,000.00. This individual also made a telephone order of over $17,000.00 worth of video projectors using a stolen American Express card. The individual provided the company another e-mail address through Excite and provided a contact phone number.

The American On-Line e-mail account information came back to a subject using an address in the Decatur, Georgia area. Intelligence and phone information gathered by the GBI verified the subject residing in an apartment in Decatur, Georgia.

On October 17, 2000, Assistant Attorney General Cassandra Schansman and Special Agent Sandra J. Putnam drafted and executed a search warrant at the residence. Several computers were seized and various credit cards were found around the apartment, as well as paperwork with hand written personal identity information on individuals and credit card numbers and expiration dates. A few days later, AAG Schansman and S/A Putnam secured an arrest warrant for the individual for Identity Fraud.

Further investigation revealed that the individual was using EBAY Internet Auction site to auction off the projectors and other computer equipment purchased with stolen credit cards. The GBI and FBI have traced the auction sales from Georgia to Arizona and Colorado. Additional victims have been identified throughout the United States by purchasing this equipment through EBAY.

The GBI Forensic Computer Specialist Vicki Adams examined the computers taken from the residence. FCS Adams found numerous documents of evidence involving stolen credit cards, Internet orders for clothes, computers, equipment and video projectors. FCS Adams also found e-mails from the suspect to victims who won the “auctions” through EBAY for the video projectors and various laptop computers. The computers also housed evidence of the purchase of airline tickets via the Internet through AirTran airlines.

This case is a perfect example of the crime being committed through the use of a computer. Law Enforcement needs to get ready because this will be the “tool” that is used in the future by criminals.
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