PINELLAS COUNTY: Counterfeit Money Order Scam Busted

Yesterday, a Safety Harbor man was arrested on various charges stemming from his involvement in a counterfeit money order scam. Raul Francisco Zelaya, 50, was arrested for Scheming to Defraud a financial institution, Communications Fraud and Possession of Counterfeit Checks. For the complete story, check out today’s Tampa Bay Online article.On Tuesday, when investigators finally arrested Zelaya, he had an additional 243 counterfeit money orders valued at over $230,000. Zelaya is believed to have obtained these checks from a known online check-cashing scam. These type of scams typically appear online as “work from home” job opportunities and can be posted on websites or appear in spam e-mail.This is not the first time that this Zelaya character has been involved in this type of activity. According to the Clearwater Police Department, Zelaya previously took part in a similar scam that was investigated by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

If you or someone you know is being investigated for, or has been arrested on, any type of Theft case, the Blake & Dorsten, P.A. of Clearwater is on your side.

The Blake & Dorsten, P.A., in Clearwater, has a business plan that is uniquely situated to allow for an aggressive defense in these type of Theft-related cases. For a Free and Private consultation on your Theft-related case, please Contact us, Esq. at 727.286.6141.

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