HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Coretta Bates, 31, the prime suspect in a bank fraud scheme in Florida, has been arrested.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Bates was located and apprehended in Atlanta, Georgia.
In October 2023, HCSO began a bank fraud investigation with the assistance of Suncoast Credit Union. An unknown individual was committing bank fraud by opening various accounts with fraudulent North Carolina IDs.
Related: Suspect, With Ties To Georgia, Identified By Hillsborough County Sheriff In Bank Fraud Case
Once the accounts were open, the suspect was able to defraud the bank by committing more than $165,000 in fraud. Victims were identified all over the southeastern United States.
HCSO Economic Crimes detectives continued to work on this investigation with the United States Secret Service Tampa Field Office and the US Attorney’s Office.
After an extensive investigation, Coretta Bates, 31, was identified as the suspect. She has active federal warrants for Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft.
“This investigation exemplifies the critical importance of collaboration and community vigilance in combating crimes,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “We are committed to relentlessly pursuing justice and holding accountable those who seek to defraud innocent individuals and institutions.”
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