Trio indicted for check fraud scheme

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Three people were getting away with a check fraud scheme for months before a confidential informant brought them to the attention of the FBI, according to a grand jury indictment.

The indictment, filed Thursday, charges them with 28 counts of bank fraud and aiding and abetting. One of them was also charged with two counts of aggravated identity fraud.

The trio allegedly cashed 40 counterfeit checks totalling more than $41,000 at Zions Bank branches between August and October. The withdrawals were made on several businesses, including the Central Utah Counseling Center, Solera Networks, Concourse Auto Werks and the Willow Creek Country Club, according to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Utah.

A confidential informant told an FBI agent about the scheme, which included using computers, scanners and printers to make false identification. With an additional tip from the informant, the agent learned that two of them were staying at a Grand America Hotel room, and the third frequented the hotel room as well, according to the complaint.

After officers arrested the trio in October, two of them admitted to their involvement in the cash checking scheme, according to the complaint.

mmcfall@sltrib.com