3 Wyandotte Residents Charged in Multimillion Dollar International Loan Fraud Scheme

Three Wyandotte residents were among 33 people charged Tuesday in connection with a large-scale international loan fraud scheme.

Deborah Boshears, 40; Gerri Britton, 40; and Kevin Chenevare, 33; were arrested Tuesday and each charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, and conspiracy to launder money, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine up to twice the amount of property involved in the crime.

Boshears also is charged with wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

A federal grand jury in Buffalo, N.Y. returned a 62-count indictment charging the 33 individuals, who are accused of defrauding more than 2,000 people across the United States of more than $2.7 million since 2005.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations is handling the case.

According to the indictment, the defendants ran a loan fraud scheme over the Internet out of cities in the U.S. and Ontario. The scheme utilized numerous web sites and search engines to direct would-be loan applicants to apply for unsecured personal loans online with non-existent financial companies.

Those arrested, serving as representatives of the fake companies, would contact the loan applicants, advise them they were approved for loans, and then direct them to make an initial security deposit payment through Western Union in order to receive the full loan. Despite making the requested initial payments, the victims never received the loans or refunds of their money.

Once the victims realized they had been defrauded, those arrested would take down their websites and create new ones, under the name of new fictional companies. The online listings for the companies included fictitious addresses that imitated the names of actual financial firms to give the appearance of legitimacy.

"As a result of this investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, a major international criminal network has been disrupted," ICE Director John Morton said in a written statement. "Conniving and stealing is over for this den of thieves. Instead of manipulating those struggling to make ends meet, the 33 members of this ring now have to answer criminal charges in federal court.

"Had they not been caught, these con artists would still be profiting from their charade. HSI and our law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively pursue criminals who exploit the financial system and try to take advantage of vulnerable citizens."

In addition to the Wyandotte trio, three other Michigan residents were arrested. They are Brynell Jones, 31, of Detroit; Shardonya Fletcher, 26, of Detroit; and Candice McGraw, 22, of Grand Rapids. Others named in the indictment live in Canada and remain at large and charged with multiple counts of wire fraud and money laundering.

"This case demonstrates the real-world threats that continue to be present in the online domain," U.S. Attorney William Hochul Jr. said in a written statement. "Here, potential loan applicants were misled by Internet advertising and the clever creation of fictitious companies with names similar to those with proven track records.

"Customers of all types should be reminded that when dealing with anyone online–whether to purchase goods, or to provide personal or financial information about yourself–it is especially important to do your homework. Do not rely solely on online advertisements or emails, ask questions, and do not be pressured. The public can also always contact the Better Business Bureau, state and federal law enforcement agencies, or the website www.stopfraud.gov for more valuable information."