COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Authorities say a ring of thieves scammed thousands of dollars from central Ohio businesses by masquerading as company employees.
Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien says one of the group’s leaders would first call businesses and get the name of an upper-level company official.
O’Brien says the ringleader would then call back masquerading as that person and instruct business employees to give money to customers coming by later. The prosecutor says those customers were members of the ring.
O’Brien says 50 businesses including gas stations, hotels and grocery stores lost $23,000 over half a year.
A grand jury indictment Tuesday charged two ringleaders and five accomplices with engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, grand theft, identify fraud and telecommunications fraud.
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