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Fairburn info leads to large ID theft operation in Tyrone home

Detective: Suspects planned to travel to Nigeria Oct. 29, possibly to sell information

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

An investigation that started in Fairburn has led local sheriff’s deputies to a large identity theft ring operated out of a Tyrone home, police said.

Detectives found thousands of fake IDs and credit cards in the home, and felony identity theft charges are being filed piecemeal as victims are contacted to confirm the information, said Fayette County Sheriff’s Det. Aaron Fenimore.

Detectives have determined how the suspects have been getting the real information, including Social Security numbers, income data, employment information along with addresses and phone numbers, Fenimore said.

It is possible that federal agents will take over the case due to the large number of victims from different cities, Fenimore added. Until that happens, however, Fenimore will be contacting victims so more warrants can be taken.

The investigation began with an arrest by Fairburn police, leading local deputies to the Tyrone home at 106 Wilmington Place, where they arrested Morolake O. Oquinijinmi, the wife of the suspect who was initially arrested by Fairburn, Fenimore said.

The Oquinijinmis were planning to leave the area for Nigeria Oct. 29, he added.

Fenimore speculated Friday that it’s likely the couple was going to take the information they collected to Nigeria so it could be sold for the creation of fake credit cards and banking accounts.

The detective declined to explain how the Oquinijinmis secured the information, but he said it would be revealed at a later date.

“It’s pretty amazing,” Fenimore said.

A total of eight identity fraud charges have been filed on Mrs. Oquinijinmi as of Friday morning, Fenimore said.

It all started with the investigation in Fairburn, led by Det. Ben Pace, Fenimore added. That information ultimately led to the search warrant served in Tyrone, he said.