Columbus police arrest teen in fraud case involving over $545,000 at Synovus
A teenager has been arrested in a fraud case involving over half a million dollars in counterfeit checks, the Columbus Police Department announced Saturday.
Police said William Chadwick Jones, 19, was arrested last week. He is charged with one count of theft by taking (felony), according to court records.
An investigation revealed five checks totaling $545,770.97 were mobile-deposited into a business account Jones opened in January at Synovus Bank, according to police.
“The funds were then quickly moved through wire transfers, debit card purchases, and peer-to-peer payment platforms like Zelle,” the news release says.
Police said some of the money was used to pay a criminal attorney retainer tied to a previous fraud arrest in Forsyth, Georgia. A large transfer went to the purchase of a Porsche, which Jones was driving at the time of his arrest, according to police.
The case was referred to CPD despite the fraudulent activity occurring in Alpharetta, Georgia, because Synovus is headquartered in Columbus, the news release says.
CPD said they worked with the Johns Creek Police Department, where Jones resides, to locate and arrest Jones.