WELLINGTON, FL – Frank Dunkow, 52, of Wellington, Florida, is facing up to 30 years in federal prison after admitting to orchestrating a brazen bank fraud scheme while managing the Littman Jewelers at the Wellington Mall. Dunkow pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg, confessing to repeatedly accepting counterfeit credit cards from co-conspirators between June 2010 and March 2011.
The scheme was simple, yet remarkably effective. Dunkow directed his employees to process purchases made with bogus credit cards, often requiring multiple attempts before a fraudulent charge was approved. Co-conspirators would present a series of cards, relentlessly trying until a transaction went through, allowing them to walk away with expensive jewelry.
Federal prosecutors revealed the total loss from Dunkow’s complicity reached just under $400,000. The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Benjamin G. Greenberg, alongside Sheriff Ric Bradshaw of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO), Antonio J. Gomez of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and Brian Swain, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) Miami Field Office, jointly announced the guilty plea. Dunkow specifically pleaded guilty to Count 5 of the Indictment, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1344(2) – the charge of bank fraud (Case No. 17-CR-80192-CR-ROSENBERG).
Beyond the potential three decades behind bars, Dunkow could also be slapped with a fine of up to $1 million. The investigation, a collaborative effort between multiple agencies, highlights the continued threat of organized retail crime and the willingness of insiders to exploit vulnerabilities for personal gain.
“This case demonstrates the importance of interagency cooperation in combating financial fraud,” stated a source close to the investigation. “The Secret Service, USPIS, and PBSO worked seamlessly to unravel this scheme and bring Dunkow to justice.” Assistant United States Attorneys Lauren Jorgensen and Alexandra Chase are prosecuting the case.
Court documents related to the case are available on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida (www.flsd.uscourts.gov) and through PACER (http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov). Sentencing details will be announced at a later date. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.
Related Federal Cases
- Larry Malone Sentenced for Bank Fraud, Bainbridge GA, 2014 · Georgia
- Viviane Cazeau, Bank Fraud Scheme, Massachusetts, 2023 · New Hampshire
- John M. Bales, Bank Fraud Conspiracy, Texas, 2023 · South Carolina
- Orlando Pascual Jr., HIV Treatment Medicare Fraud, Miami FL, 2023 · Mississippi
- Juan A. Tony Marrero, Medicare Fraud Scheme, Miami FL, 2023 · Mississippi
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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