Linda Walker, Fraud Conspiracy, Pennsylvania 2015

Linda Walker, a 60-year-old resident of West Virginia, has pleaded guilty to a charge of fraud conspiracy in federal court in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

According to the United States Attorney, David J. Hickton, Walker pleaded guilty to one count of fraud conspiracy before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

Walker was involved in a Nigerian ‘Mystery Shopper’ scam, whereby she knowingly prepared and addressed fraudulent mail containing counterfeit instruments to victims. The victims unwittingly received the counterfeit commercial and Postal money orders and checks and cashed them to make small purchases for purposes of evaluating the commercial services provided. They then wire transferred excess funds back to Walker and others.

After these transactions, the money orders and checks were returned as counterfeit by the victims’ banks, leaving them to repay the bank from their own funds.

Walker’s guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney David J. Hickton. Assistant United States Attorney Paul E. Hull is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Linda Walker.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for June 5, 2015, at 11 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

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