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Package Delievered to Wrong Address Leads to Scam Arrest
11/22/09 - 08:25 PM

Bay County Sheriff Office

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Investigators with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office have arrested one man and uncovered an elaborate scam using the internet and postal system.

On November 18 a package was delivered to an incorrect address on Panama City Beach. The recipient of the package opened it and called the BCSO. Inside the package were Russian magazines and 46 checks hidden within the pages—each for about 500 dollars.

Investigators were able to determine the names on the checks were legitimate, as were the routing numbers. The people whose names appeared on the checks were contacted and each person reported having trouble with their online bank accounts. The victims also denied having written the checks. However, all reported receiving and responding to an email claiming to be from their banking institution requesting account information.

Investigators did a controlled delivery of the package to the intended address of 170 White Cap Way on Panama City Beach. A search warrant was executed on the address. Arrested was Marat Fazlullin, 23 years of age. After taking a statement from Fazlullin, investigators believe the checks to be counterfeit and that the information to create the checks came from the fraudulent email. Investigators believe Fazlullin was cashing the checks, pocketing some of the money and sending the remainder back to Russia, where the email originated. Fazlullin stated he, a Russian, was contacted by Russians and asked to participate.

The scam email claims to be from a banking institution and asks the receiver to click on a link to answer questions about an account. Once the link is clicked, hackers are able to access the account with routing numbers, passwords, and copies of signatures. The counterfeit checks are then created from this information.

Anyone receiving an email claiming to be from their bank asking for account information is asked not to respond.  Banks do not send emails requesting account information.

Fazlullin was charged with Possession of Counterfeit Checks. Assisting in the investigation was the Secret Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

More information on this scam and others can be found on the BCSO Criminal Investigations Facebook Page.