Nicole Siroky, 31, was finally arrested in Daytona Beach on Tuesday, following the conclusion of a 10-month-long investigation into a sophisticated ‘fraud lab’ she allegedly ran out of several beachside hotel rooms
A woman has been jailed in Florida after police say she ran a sophisticated ‘fraud lab’ out of several beachside hotel rooms, allegedly scamming more than 100 people and businesses across the US and Canada.
Nicole Siroky, 31, was finally arrested in Daytona Beach on Tuesday, following the conclusion of a 10-month-long investigation into the purported scheme.
She’s accused of attempting to defraud more than $20,000, fraudulently using the personal information of 30 or more people, unlawful possession of personal information of five or more people, trafficking counterfeit credit cards and possession of credit-card-making equipment.
In total, authorities claim Siroky has victimized more than 28 business throughout the country, as well as 68 people throughout the US and Canada.
‘It’s a terrible crime. It’s not glamorous…it hits every one of us in our pocketbooks because every one of these identity thefts is costing credit card companies and they’re charging us,’ said Chief Stephan Dembinsky, Daytona Beach Shores Public Safety Director.
She’s accused of attempting to defraud more than $20,000, fraudulently using the personal information of 30 or more people, unlawful possession of personal information of five or more people, trafficking counterfeit credit cards and possession of credit-card-making equipment
In total, authorities claim Siroky has victimized more than 28 business throughout the country, as well as 68 people throughout the US and Canada (pictured: fraudulent credit cards obtained at a search of one of Siroky’s purported motel rooms)
Authorities still say they’re on the hunt for two of Siroky’s acquaintances – Tiffany O’Reilly, 32, and Timothy Hooper, 53 – who are believed to have been co-masterminds of the operation.
Police first began investigating Siroky in September 2018 after a member of management of the Perry’s Ocean Edge Resort reported suspected fraudulent activity in a guest’s room.
Siroky was identified as a suspect and later located at the Atlantic Cover Motel in Ormond Beach, where she was arrested on grand theft charges.
Police discovered several motel rooms associated with Siroky soon after and filed several search warrants to investigate further.
During which, authorities say they discovered a ‘fraud lab’ filled with credit card making equipment, personal identifying information, electronic devices and ‘hundreds of counterfeit credit cards’.
‘The credit card will have a name that they can show they have an ID, but the code on the back is different. It’s the person who got their identity stolen,’ Dembinsky clarified.
Two stolen guns were also yielded in the searches, along with heroin and other narcotic paraphernalia.
Police first began investigating Siroky in September 2018 after a member of management of the Perry’s Ocean Edge Resort reported suspected fraudulent activity in a guest’s room
Authorities still say they’re on the hunt for two of Siroky’s acquaintances – (left to right) Tiffany O’Reilly, 32, and Timothy Hooper, 53 – who are believed to have been co-masterminds of the operation
Two stolen guns were also yielded in the searches, along with heroin and other narcotic paraphernalia
Dembinsky said that Siroky and her ‘cohorts’ purchased the stolen credit card information on the dark web.
Detectives say the trio booked hotel rooms using the fraudulent credit cards, used the room as a hub for conducting ‘illegal practices’ and often ‘sublet’ the rooms to other people.
‘They’re not making a million dollars doing this, but it’s an easy way to live on the beach and support their [lifestyle],’ Dembinsky added.
Siroky was booked on Tuesday on grand theft charges and is currently being held on a $1 million bail bond – a ‘pretty gratifying amount’, Dembinsky said.
Pictured: Stolen personal identification information of a number of victims is found stashed in a motel room draw
Siroky and her ‘cohorts’ allegedly purchased the stolen credit card information on the dark web. Detectives say the trio booked hotel rooms using the fraudulent credit cards, used the room as a hub for conducting ‘illegal practices’ and often ‘sublet’ the rooms to other people
The suspect’s sister, Danielle Luck, told Click Orlando she believes Siroky is innocent.
‘That’s not Nicole. Nicole wouldn’t do that,’ Luck said. ‘They set my sister up. She’s not guilty of none of that. None of it.’
Police are continuing to investigate the case, which could lead to more charges and a longer list of victims, according to the department.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of O’Reilly and Hooper is urged to call the Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigations Division at 386-763-5347 or Crime Stoppers at 888-277-8477 (TIPS)