Fraud investigator: Teen withdrew cash from deposits on closed accounts

FORT WALTON BEACH – A young man is accused of trying to withdraw cash from an account that had received deposits from other accounts that had been closed, lawmen say.

On June 14 a fraud investigator with the Eglin Federal Credit Union reported to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office that between May 14 and 16, 18-year-old Johnathan Scott of Fort Walton Beach embarked on a scheme by which a small amount of money was used to start an account, then cash was withdrawn after checks that were written from closed accounts at other institutions were deposited into the account. In some cases the cash was dispensed; in others, the request was denied.

Scott was interviewed by the Sheriff’s Office and said he didn’t intend to commit fraud and didn’t know the checks were bogus. Later, he admitted he knew the checks were fraudulent.

Scott was helped by a friend who was not named in the arrest report. Further, the report did not list charges, if any, lodged against the other person.

Scott was charged with larceny and fraud. His plea date was not listed on the arrest report, but court records indicate it is Aug. 13.