Trio arrested for running multi-county fraudulent coupon scam, authorities say

Writer: Derrick Shaw
Published:

Three people were arrested for running a multi-county coupon scam that led to $30,000 in losses for drug stores, Florida law enforcement officials said Tuesday.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said suspect Ramona Foster produced fraudulent digital and paper coupons that suspects Kenya Morris and Thelma Flint used to purchase gift cards and other items at little to no cost to them.

They made the purchases at stores in several counties, including DeSoto, Lee and Charlotte in Southwest Florida, as well as Broward, Brevard and Volusia on the East Coast.

Kenya Nakia Morris, 25, and Thelma Inez Flint, 26, both of Rivera Beach, were arrested Sept. 10 on charges of grand theft $20,000 or more, but less than $100,000, and conspiracy to commit grand theft $20,000 or more, but less than $100,000, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device. A booking photo of Ramona Foster was unavailable. (Credit: PBCSO booking photos)

Authorities say that after the purchases, Morris and Flint provided half of the stolen gift cards to Foster as payment for creating the fraudulent coupons. Morris and Flint would then sell the items they purchased on social media for cash.

FDLE’s Sebring Field Office began investigating after being contacted by Walgreens Loss Prevention.

Kenya Nakia Morris, 25, and Thelma Inez Flint, 26, both of Rivera Beach, were arrested Sept. 10 on charges of grand theft $20,000 or more, but less than $100,000, and conspiracy to commit grand theft $20,000 or more, but less than $100,000, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device.  Both were booked into the Palm Beach County Detention Center. Flint was released on bond early Tuesday.

Ramona Foster, 45, of Gardendale, Texas, was arrested Sept. 18 on charges of grand theft $20,000 or more, but less than $100,000, and conspiracy to commit grand theft $20,000 or more, but less than $100,000, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device. Foster was booked into Ector County Jail in Texas.

FDLE said the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.