Fraud detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in locating suspected scam artist William T. Frelix, who, in the past two years alone, is believed to have used stolen credit card numbers to charge more than $100,000 in merchandise.
The investigation to this point shows that Frelix hires homeless individuals to go through garbage dumpsters utilized by airport area hotels and motels looking for patrons’ credit card information. Detectives think that information is furnished to Frelix, who then charges all kinds of things, including food, tires, home renovation and construction materials, machinery and automotive parts. Frelix is believed to be selling the fraudulently obtained merchandise for about half its retail value. He is also known to have used the credit cards to make utility and car payments for his friends and associates.
One Pennsylvania woman who stayed in an airport area motel at the end of September recently discovered $12,000 worth of fraudulent charges, including the purchase of a costly insulation blower.
Frelix is presently wanted on one count of felony identity theft. Multiple additional counts are expected to be placed against him. Anyone seeing William Frelix or knowing his whereabouts is urged to contact the police department’s Fraud Unit at 862-7594 or Crime Stoppers at 74-CRIME. Citizens can also send an electronic tip to Crime Stoppers by texting the word “CASH” along with their message to 274637 (CRIMES), or by going online to www.nashvillecrimestoppers.com.
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