FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
Monique Bond
November 28, 2011 312 814-8367
www.isp.state.il.us
TDD:
1-800-255-3323
ISP TRAFFIC STOP UNCOVERS MAJOR CREDIT CARD AND FRAUDULENT ID SCAM BEFORE
START OF HOLIDAY SEASON
Fraudulent ID Cards, Credit Cards, Cash, Gift Cards Confiscated
SPRINGFIELD, IL – An Illinois State Police (ISP) District 9 Trooper foiled
a fraudulent credit card and identification operation during a routine
traffic stop. The District 9 Trooper stopped a rented gray Dodge Caravan
for no front license plate and improper lane usage in the passing lane on
I-55 near Springfield. A check of the driver's license revealed the female
driver, Michelle Ayala, 37, had two felony warrants for deceptive
practices. Two passengers were also identified as Philip Bush, 5,1 and
Felicia Mullon, 38.
The Trooper discovered a significant amount of fraudulent credit, debit,
and gift cards inside the vehicle from reputable retail establishments.
Blank driver's licenses and identification cards from multiple states were
also found with machines used to produce fraudulent identification cards,
holograms, driver's licenses, and credit cards. A search also revealed
approximately $12,362 USC on the driver and two passengers.
"The holiday season is big business for criminals, counterfeiters, and
identity thieves who are busy plying their trade with scams and fraudulent
activity across state lines," said ISP Director Hiram Grau. "This traffic
stop prevented a ring of counterfeiters from exploiting and compromising
the identity and personal information from hundreds of potential victims,"
he stressed.
Ayala, Bush, and Mullon were arrested and charged with possession of
altering credit cards (Class 3 felony), possession of stolen goods (Class 4
felony), possession of fraudulent credit cards (Class 3 felony), and
possession of a machine to make counterfeit credit cards (Class 3 felony).
Illinois State Police Investigations and the U.S. Secret Service were
contacted for further investigation.
All three suspects refused to cooperate and were subsequently turned over
to the custody of the Sangamon County Jail without bond. A court date is
pending
###
One Driving Fatality is One Too Many and Illinois State Police are
Committed to Driving Zero Fatalities to a Reality
(See attached file: MULLON_1.JPG) (See attached file: AYALA_1.JPG)(See
attached file: BUSH_1.JPG)
