Attorney General James Uthmeier Charges Eight Members of Massive $8.8 Million Bank Fraud Ring

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Release Date
Jul 23, 2025
Contact
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(850) 245-0150

Courtesy of the Office of Attorney General James Uthmeier

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution is charging eight members of a massive $8.8 million bank fraud ring. The illegal operation began with three bank employees sharing and selling bank account information of senior customers through an encrypted mobile messaging app.

“Today, we announced the takedown of eight criminals who targeted seniors and stole $8.8 million from over 230 victims. They’re facing charges such as RICO, criminal use of personal information, and other serious felonies,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “I’m grateful for the hard work of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in hunting these fraudsters down. Our Office of Statewide Prosecution will now get to work and hold them accountable.”

“This wasn’t some small-time scam, this was a well-organized fraud ring stealing millions from innocent victims across the country,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “They thought they could hide behind mobile apps and fake accounts, but we found them, and we’ll continue to go after anyone who targets hardworking people’s life savings. Racketeering is a serious crime, and we will pursue as many felonies as possible against each one of these suspects.”

According to the law enforcement investigation, the defendants used victims’ names, dates of birth, Social Security Numbers and bank account information to transfer money into accounts the defendants opened. The defendants then either disbursed the stolen funds amongst themselves or made purchases such as buying a new car. 

Investigators identified the source of the stolen information as coming from three bank employees in Maryland: Barbara Frazee, Camala Shafer, and Antonio Penn. Penn used his co-workers’ credentials to log into the bank system to access bank user information, then sold the information via an encrypted messaging mobile app to other conspirators.

Defendants and charges include:

  • Barbara Frazee, of West Virginia - Conspiracy to commit RICO (F1), unlawful use of a two way communication device (F3), access computer without authorization (F3). She was taken into custody in West Virginia on the Polk County warrant, and is now being held in the Polk County Jail on $260,000 bond.
  • Camala Shafer, of Maryland - Access computer without authorization (F3). She was released from the Polk County Jail on June 30, 2025, after posting $10,000 bond.
  • Antonio Penn, of Maryland - Racketeering (F1), conspiracy to commit RICO (F1), organized fraud (F1), unlawful use of a two way communication device (F3), criminal use of personal identification information (F1), access computer without authorization (F3). He was arrested on the Polk County warrant by the Maryland State Police, and is now being held in the Polk County Jail on $1,020,000 bond.
  • Okeroghene Akushe, of Missouri - Racketeering (F1), conspiracy to commit RICO (F1), unlawful use of a two way communication device (F3), criminal use of personal identification information (F1). He is being held in the Polk County Jail on $760,000 bond. His criminal history includes prior arrests for fraudulent use of credit card, counterfeiting/forgery, and drug sales.
  • Michael Nevarez, of Lakeland – Racketeering (F1), conspiracy to commit RICO (F1), organized fraud (F1), Grand theft more than 20k (F2), unlawful use of a two way communication device (F3), criminal use of personal identification information (F3). He is being held in the Polk County Jail on $425,000 bond.
  • Roshado Durrant, of Lakeland - Racketeering (F1), 2 counts conspiracy to commit RICO (F1), organized fraud (F1), 2 counts grand theft more than 20k (F2), conspiracy to commit grand theft more than 20k (F3), unlawful use of a two way communication device (F3), 2 counts criminal use of personal identification information (F1). He is being held in the Polk County Jail on no bond.
  • Hassan Phillips, of Maryland - Racketeering (F1), conspiracy to commit RICO (F1), organized fraud (F1), unlawful use of a two way communication device (F3), criminal use of personal identification information (F1). He was arrested in Maryland on his Polk warrant and is now being held in the Polk County Jail on $1,010,000 bond.
  • Kevin Clayton, of Lakeland - Racketeering (F1), conspiracy to commit RICO (F1), organized fraud (F1), Grand theft more than 20k (F2), Grand theft more than $750.00 (F3), unlawful use of a two way communication device (F3), criminal use of personal identification information (F3). He was arrested in California on a Polk County warrant, and is now being held in the Polk County Jail on an ICE hold.

In addition to PCSO and the Attorney General’s CFEU, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and detectives from the Maryland State Police, Virginia State Police, Allegany County Sheriff’s Office (MD), and Florissant Police (MO) assisted in the investigation.

Bureau Chief Whitney Mackay and Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Kelli Llona will handle the case. 

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