Four Georgian women charged in identity theft and computer fraud scheme

In Macon, Georgia, a woman arrested with identity and tax return fraud during the summer was charged with an extra 45 counts of identity theft and 45 counts of theft by receiving, Macon.com reports. Latricia Griffin, 33, was arrested on Tuesday for 54 total counts of identity fraud and theft by receiving. Authorities searched her residence and found evidence linking her to the crimes, said Bibb County sheriff's Lieutenant Paul Edwards. Upon coming across additional evidence, 18 counts of identity theft and 18 counts of theft by receiving were added to Griffin's charge. In a separate scheme, Sharon Chappell of Twiggs County and Chasity Pitts of Macon were also charged with identity theft in the case. The two acquired names, birthdates and social security numbers were then sold to Jackie Young Elvine of Jefersonville who used the information to acquire false tax returns, the new source states. The three women in total were charged with 57 counts of computer fraud, 20 counts of theft by receiving and seven counts of identity theft. In total, authorities claim damages as a result of the four women's schemes amounted to tens of thousands of losses over the past four years.