Probe nets counterfeit currency, 3 arrests
A confidential source developed by Canonsburg police almost three years ago ended in the federal prosecution of three women and the seizure of more than $2.3 million in counterfeit money orders and bank cashier checks.
Shawn Foote, 47, of Atlantic City, N.J., received a 24-month sentence in prison after she was convicted of fraudulently transferring postal money orders and making and passing counterfeit security.
Monica Mason, 50, of Lilburn, Ga., was sentenced to three years of probation for her conviction on a charge of conspiracy to commit fraud.
Linda Walker, 61, of Oak Hill, W.Va., was sentenced to six months in prison following by six months of probation on charges of conspiracy and wire fraud.
Police Chief Al Coghill said police developed a confidential source in February 2013 who purchased forged U.S. postal money orders and bank cashier’s checks from Foote. Police notified the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security.
Foote traveled to Canonsburg and was subsequently arrested. In her possession, investigators found 200 counterfeit postal orders and 67 counterfeit bank checks.
Both Mason and Walker were involved in a “Mystery Shopper” scam with Foote and Walker preparing and addressing mail containing the counterfeit documents to victims, according to information presented in federal court. The victims would unwittingly cash the mnoney orders and cashier’s checks and transfer the excess funds back to Mason, Foote, Walker and others. When it was determined they were forged, the victims were forced to repay their banks.
“It was a successful prosecution, which is very rare in cases like this,” said Coghill, who added he was recently given the OK by federal prosecutors to discuss the case. “They were leading victims to believe they were sent legitimate funds.”
Coghill said this emphasizes the need for residents to continue to report when they feel they have been contacted by someone trying to con them out of money in a scam.
“Report it when you get one of these letters or calls,” Coghill said. “You never know where it will lead.”