TEXAS WOMAN CHARGED IN $40,000 PRESCOTT AREA FRAUD CASE

Published on July 16, 2024

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office has been investigating email fraud in the Prescott area that resulted in the loss of more than $40,000. It was alleged that someone had hacked into an unsuspecting third party’s email and initiated a wire transfer from that party's bank account. The victim contacted YCSO, and an investigation was opened.

During the investigation, it was discovered through bank records that 64-year-old Maria Rivera of Carrollton, Texas was the recipient of the transferred $40,000. Other evidence was also discovered linking her to the fraud. Detectives submitted charges of fraud, theft, and identity theft for Rivera to the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office and the detectives obtained a warrant for Rivera’s arrest on those charges. YCSO Detectives reached out to the Carrollton Police Department in Texas for assistance in arresting Rivera, and in early July YCSO detectives were able to take Rivera into custody at her place of work in Texas and execute the search warrant at her residence. During the search, information was located that this crime was not the only fraud she had perpetrated. The Carrollton Police Department is now filing charges against Rivera for those crimes, and Federal agencies have been notified because of the nature of the fraud, including the crimes crossing several state lines.

YCSO would like to acknowledge the hard work of the Carrollton Police Department and thank them for their help in arresting Maria Rivera. Sheriff David Rhodes said, "People who commit thefts and frauds can cause great harm to the mental wellbeing, physical health, and financial security of their victims. We have seen cases where the victims were left destitute or even homeless because of these offenders. I’m proud of the dedication and persistence our deputies and detectives have shown in making sure this suspect answers for the alleged numerous crimes that were uncovered.”