Man wanted in $8,000 cell phone theft scam

Thursday, July 26, 2012
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

NORCROSS -- Authorities are looking for a south Georgia man who allegedly scammed a Norcross cellphone dealer out of nearly $8,000 in merchandise.

Johntavies Samuel, 21, is wanted on theft charges for a ruse that began in May, according to Norcross police. A warrant was issued for Samuel last week. He remained at large Thursday.

On May 28, Samuel approached an employee at Ameritel on Jimmy Carter Boulevard and inquired about becoming a cell-phone distributor. He filed the required paperwork and gave copies of a Georgia ID and Social Security card, according to a police report.

The company shipped Samuel $7,888 in phones and related equipment, and he handed over a check that later bounced -- because the routing number and bank branch listed on it did not exist, the report states.

Contacted by an Ameritel representative on June 8, Samuel claimed he'd obtained the check through a financial adviser he'd met via Craigslist.

Samuel apologized and promised to deliver the balance in person, and in cash. He hasn't been heard from since, the report states.

Samuel's arrest warrant lists his home address as Boston -- a small town in south Georgia near the Florida Panhandle. He's described as a black man with brown eyes and black hair, 5 feet, 11 inches tall and 155 pounds.

Norcross police have charged Samuel with one felony count of theft by deception.

Sign in to comment

Or login with:

OpenID

Gwinnett Daily Post