Authorities believe they’ve nabbed the nine remaining members of an identity theft ring that has victimized 256 Oahu residents and businesses.
The nine suspects were indicted by an Oahu grand jury today on more than 150 counts of identity theft related crimes.
They are: Gerald Waialae II, Kimberly Nabarro, Randall Wallace, Christopher Cole, Rachel Taong-Parker, Walter Cascayan, Scott Brunson, Alana Eskildson, and Clyde Lee.
"Victims lose their personal information through mail theft, which was present in this case, car break-ins, home break-ins, stealing information from businesses but also dumpster diving," said Chris Van Marter, Deputy Prosecutor.
Four other ring members: Jefferson Ganado, Al Alvarez, Randy Garcia, and Arnold Agtang have already been convicted and sentenced to ten years in prison.
And alleged ring leader Pyong "Peter" Pak is currently awaiting trial.
Prosecutors believe the suspects stole more than $200,000 over an eight month period starting in May of last year.
We spoke with one of the victims, who spoke with us in hopes of warning others to be careful.
For Cora Fonseca, it all started on December 2nd last year, when her car was broken into in Mapunapuna.
"I was at a business place, a restaurant for only 20 minutes and parked my car right in front right under the lights and when I came back my briefcase was not in my car," said Cora Fonseca.
Within several hours, police believe suspect Kimberly Nabarro forged Cora’s checks. Among them: a $300 check at Don Quijote, a $113 check at Times Market, a $423 check at Longs Drugs, and a $46 check at Zippy’s.
"They forged my name and put Christmas gifts in the bottom left corner. So when I saw these returned checks with my false signature and memo Christmas gifts, I felt sad because that was what was taken from me to maybe to use for Christmas or to pay my bills," said Cora Fonseca.
Nabarro was among nine people indicted on Tuesday for numerous identity theft related charges.
Prosecutors believe the nine were part of an identity theft ring that victimized 256 people and businesses on Oahu by creating fake ids and counterfeit checks, and cashing them.
"In the interview when they showed me my information with someone else’s picture forging my name, I felt really I couldn’t explain the feeling I had. I felt unsafe that someone could do that," said Cora Fonseca.
Cora owns Rainbow Gymnastics Academy in Aiea, and some of her customers checks were also in her briefcase.
"Three months later, then that’s when the false checks were made for my customers. They took information from my customers checks and created an online checks with a false name and false id," said Cora Fonseca.
She says that’s what she’s most upset about.
It’s been almost a year since the initial incident happened, and Cora is still dealing with the effects of the identity theft.
"You know the banks take care of everything but not right away. You have to, in fact I’m still having to prove it was a theft. I had to go down get a police report. It was almost like I was a person that had done something wrong. Once they get your stuff you’re pretty much out of control. You have no control over how far they go," said Cora Fonseca.
The identity theft ring bust is the result of a 13 month investigation by police, Sheriff’s deputies, prosecutors, and federal agencies.
See the original article at: KHON2 Developing Stories
