Scammer Spotted In Norcross Stole Thousands: Gwinnett Police

NORCROSS, GA — The Gwinnett County police are asking the public for help in tracking down a scammer who intercepted emails sent in a business transaction to steal thousands of dollars. The police released two photos Friday of an individual that were taken at a local bank.

The man in the photos was captured on a surveillance camera making large cash withdrawals from SunTrust bank at 5950 Jimmy Carter Blvd. in the Norcross area, the police said.

The stolen funds were wired to an account that belonged to a man named Fred Carlton, "though investigators now believe that name is fake," the police said in a statement.

Back in May, the police said, "an Illinois man was arranging to purchase a business," and he and the seller negotiated the deal via emails. The police did not identify the buyer or seller, or the name and location of the business.

An unknown individual somehow intercepted the email correspondence and sent the victim fraudulent wiring instructions for the final transaction, totaling $227,500, the police said. The victim sent those funds to the account controlled by Fred Carlton.

The police are asking the public for help in identifying the man in the photos. If you have any information to share, please call GCPD detectives at 770-513-5300.

To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or click here. Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case.