LEONARDTOWN, Md. (July 27, 2009)—Detectives arrested five Ukranian citizens on Friday in connection with an internet scam that was being perpetrated against local citizens.
Arrested were Oleksandr Parkhomenko, age 20; Stanislava Onishchuk, age 20; Oleksandr Ponomarenko, age 23; Vadym Shvykkyi,
age 20; and Oleksii Seleznov, age 20, all of Lexington Park. All five men were charged with theft scheme over $500.
The arrests were the results of an investigation that began a few days earlier on Monday, July 20. Maryland State Police were called to the Chevy Chase Bank in California for a report of bank fraud. Investigators determined that the suspects were conducting an internet scam and utilized Chevy Chase Bank. Once funds were obtained, the suspects would send the illegally obtained funds to locations in Russia.
The investigation and arrests were executed by the St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) under the leadership of Lt. Louis Burris.
BCI is asking anyone who may have additional information about the alleged crimes to contact them at 301-475-4200 ext. 8955.
Additional information about the details of the fraud will follow as it becomes available.