News


FDLE agents bust ring that netted thousands in fraudulent activity

 
For Immediate Release
July 26, 2018

TAMPA, Fla. – FDLE agents today arrested three suspects of an illegal ring that opened new bank accounts for the purpose of cashing fraudulent checks, which totaled more than $30,000.

Those arrested are: Luis Bonilla, Jr.; Frederico Di Pietro; and Pablo Serrano. All three list Tampa as their residence. They are facing charges of organized scheme to defraud and conspiracy to commit organized scheme to defraud.

The investigation found that from August 2014 through October 2017, the suspects opened new bank accounts and then created fraudulent checks by using routing and account numbers from the new accounts. In most of the schemes, a suspect would deposit funds into a new account. The account holder would then cash a fake check bearing the name of a registered company.

While some of the companies were registered with the Florida Department of State, most were inactive. The suspects often would deposit and cash checks within hours or days in an effort to prevent banks from noticing the fraudulent activity. The suspects traveled to multiple locations throughout the Tampa area and Central and Northwest Florida.

Bonilla, Di Pietro and Serrano were booked into the Hillsborough County Jail. The Office of Statewide Prosecution is prosecuting the case. The investigation is ongoing.

For Further Information
Contact: Angela Starke FDLE Office of Public Information
(407) 988-5009 Mobile
(813) 878-7300 Tampa Bay
(850) 410-7001 Tallahassee

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Priorities

FDLE is composed of five areas: Executive Direction and Business Support, Criminal Investigations and Forensic Science, Criminal Justice Information, Criminal Justice Professionalism and Florida Capitol Police. FDLE’s duties, responsibilities and procedures are mandated through Chapter 943, FS, and Chapter 11, FAC. To learn more about these areas, read our Statement of Agency Organization and Operation or visit our Open Government page.