A major identity theft ring bust thought to be centered in Apopka FL --appears to stretch far beyond the state of Florida ---and the United States. According to law enforcement authorities, the Florida arrests are part of a massive conspiracy that involved a long-distance connection between Puerto Rican suppliers and American identity brokers to sell fake names, state ID cards, driver's licenses, Social Security cards and even voter cards to undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.
Renald Wilder and Holly Eckert were arrested after police in Florida raided a residence in Apoka where they believed Wilder and Eckert were buying and selling drugs. Though police found illegal drugs on the property --they also found evidence that appears these two suspects were far more interested in buying and selling identities.
Police found hundreds of stolen Florida driver's licenses and somewhere near a thousand stolen credit cards. But the story and this case doesn't stop in Florida. It turns out that Wilder and Eckert were only 2 of 60 people already arrested in 15 states and Puerto Rico in Operation Island Express --accused of participating in a massive identity theft conspiracy that involves selling Puerto Rican identities to people living in the United States. Authorities say this is the largest individual fraud case ever for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times --A website will be established to provide information to potential victims and the public. Anyone who believes their identity may have been compromised can contact Immigration officials at 866-347-2423 or online at ICE.gov/tipline
The Justice Department reports the charges are the result of Operation Island Express, a nationally coordinated investigation led by the Homeland Security Chicago Office. Elgin Police, the Illinois Secretary of State Police and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois are among dozens of agencies involved.
Stay up-to-date on the latest scams, and beware of the latest identity theft trends!
Take steps to control of your identity, before someone else does!
Renald Wilder and Holly Eckert were arrested after police in Florida raided a residence in Apoka where they believed Wilder and Eckert were buying and selling drugs. Though police found illegal drugs on the property --they also found evidence that appears these two suspects were far more interested in buying and selling identities.
Police found hundreds of stolen Florida driver's licenses and somewhere near a thousand stolen credit cards. But the story and this case doesn't stop in Florida. It turns out that Wilder and Eckert were only 2 of 60 people already arrested in 15 states and Puerto Rico in Operation Island Express --accused of participating in a massive identity theft conspiracy that involves selling Puerto Rican identities to people living in the United States. Authorities say this is the largest individual fraud case ever for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times --A website will be established to provide information to potential victims and the public. Anyone who believes their identity may have been compromised can contact Immigration officials at 866-347-2423 or online at ICE.gov/tipline
The Justice Department reports the charges are the result of Operation Island Express, a nationally coordinated investigation led by the Homeland Security Chicago Office. Elgin Police, the Illinois Secretary of State Police and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois are among dozens of agencies involved.
Stay up-to-date on the latest scams, and beware of the latest identity theft trends!
Take steps to control of your identity, before someone else does!
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