Jonathan Daniels

MARQUETTE — Two Georgia residents have been arrested after allegedly using fraudulent credit cards to scam more than $21,000 from Upper Peninsula businesses.

On May 19, officers from the Michigan State Police Iron Mountain post were contacted by a local business who reported that two individuals used fraudulent credit cards to purchase thousands of dollars worth of goods from stores around the U.P. that include Menominee, Dickinson and Iron Counties, locations which the business that notified police had locations.

34-year-old Jonathan Daniels of Lithonia, Georgia and Shanee Clark, 28, of Covington, Georgia were arraigned in the 95B District Court Friday on charges of one count of larceny by conversion greater than $1,000 but less than $20,000, three counts of financial transaction device – uttering and publishing as well as three counts of financial transaction device – possession of fraudulent.

Both suspects were arraigned as habitual offenders, with Daniels having his bond set at $30,000 and Clark’s set at $20,000.

According to the MSP release, an investigation revealed that the vehicle the couple had been using was recently seen in the Auburn Hills area. A “BOL” was issued for the vehicle, with the Auburn Hills PD locating the vehicle at a mall a short time later.

The suspects were arrested and transported to the Dickinson county Jail.

The MSP issued a public warning to help other businesses avoid similar scams.

“Fraudulent credit cards were allegedly used in these crimes. It’s believed that the purchase of merchandise is made at a store using a fake card. When the payment is processed at the store, an error is found in the system, but the purchase still goes through as a “stand in” or offline transaction. Later, the bank rejects the payment because the card was fake and not linked to a real account. The bank then sends a chargeback to the store, which means the store must cover the cost of the stolen merchandise,” the statement reads.

“To protect yourself from these scams, retailers should always send transactions online to get approval right away. Do not allow ‘offline’ transactions or for the card data to be entered manually. Also, check the card to see if it looks fake or changed. If anything seems suspicious, call law enforcement immediately.”

MSP encourages anyone with further information, including any other potential victims of this scam, to please contact your local MSP Post. Locally, for Menominee, Dickinson, and Iron Counties, the MSP Iron Mountain Post can be reached by calling 906-774-2122.

MSP Iron Mountain Post thanks the other agencies who assisted with this investigation including the Iron Mountain Police Department, Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department, Marinette County (WI) Sheriff’s Department, Auburn Hills Police Department, MSP Metro North Post, Dickinson County Dispatch, and MSP Negaunee Regional Communications Center.

Story contents based on a Michigan State Police press release. Randy Crouch can be reached at 906-228-2500. His email address is rcrouch@miningjournal.net