Fradulent Schemes Investigation Nets Arrest
May 23, 2008
On
May 22, 2008, Mesa Police investigators arrested 46-year-old
Renata Anna Nelson of Gilbert on suspicion of fraudulent
schemes, trafficking in stolen property and possession of
dangerous drugs for sale.
The investigation began four months ago when investigators
received information that Nelson was purchasing stolen property
and selling the merchandise on auction web sites. Further
investigation revealed that between March and December of 2007,
Nelson conducted over 2,500 transactions on a particular web
site, totaling over $150,000. Nelson continued to sell stolen
property on the web site during 2008. Records showed that Nelson
conducted over 275 transactions totaling over $50,000 year to
date.
In addition to selling stolen property, Nelson was also
responsible for running a retail scam. Some of the stolen
merchandise that Nelson purchased would be systematically
returned to various retail stores by individuals who were
employed by Nelson to commit the crimes. The retail stores would
often give store credit via a gift card in lieu of cash for the
returned items. Nelson is suspected of selling some of the gift
cards on various auction web sites and using the gift cards to
buy more merchandise. Nelson also engaged in price switching
scams at stores where she would place the UPC code for less
expensive items on more expensive merchandise. After purchasing
the item at a reduced cost, the item would be returned to the
store for a refund at full value.
Investigators utilized undercover operations to expose the inner
workings of the retail scam. The investigation culminated in a
search warrant being served at Nelson's Gilbert home on May
22nd. In addition to locating items of evidence linking Nelson
to fraudulent activity, investigators also located illegal drugs
that were individually packaged for sale.
Nelson was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on suspicion of
fraudulent schemes, trafficking in stolen property, and
possession of dangerous drugs for sale. She is currently being
held on a $300,000 cash only bond.