Police: Chicago man scams Sonoma County Facebook 'friends' out of $60,000

A Chicago man faces charges including grand theft and fraud in connection with an alleged social media check fraud scam involving at least five victims and a potential combined loss of nearly $60,000, Santa Rosa police said.

Ahmad Rashad Carter, 20, was arrested Friday by Santa Rosa property crimes detectives when he showed up for a meeting with an undercover officer impersonating a victim who was supposed to deliver money, Sgt. Josh Ludtke said in a press release.

The alleged fraud came to light when police and Sonoma County Sheriff’s investigators, working with Redwood Credit Union officials, ?determined that at least five people had been tricked into giving out personal account information and ultimately lost money in the scam, Ludtke said.

The suspect would become “friends” with people through Facebook, gain their trust and ultimately get log-in information to their bank accounts, police said. Using mobile deposit, the suspect would deposit several checks in the accounts and after several days ask the victim to withdraw the money, minus 10 percent for his or her alleged profit, Ludtke said.

The suspect would give each victim an account number at another financial institution and ask him or her deposit money in it, police said. Within a few days, the checks initially deposited by the suspect were determined to be fraudulent. At least one victim had personally delivered funds to the suspect, Ludtke said.

Detectives found evidence of the alleged scams, including crimes against additional victims, in Carter’s possession, Ludtke said. There was also evidence that he had conspired with others to commit similar scams in other parts of the country.

Carter was also charged with using a computer system to commit financial crimes and conspiracy to commit fraud. He was jailed on $50,000 bail.

Police urged the public to be cautious when dealing with someone offering payment in exchange for depositing checks or soliciting personal bank account information.

The investigation is continuing on the suspicion that other victims are involved, Ludtke said. Anyone with information on the scam is asked to call Santa Rosa detectives at 543-4112.

You can reach Staff Writer Guy Kovner at 521-5457 or guy.kovner@pressdemocrat.com.