A lengthy criminal investigation involving city, county and Federal investigators has resulted in the arrest of numerous suspects in an elaborate fraud scheme. Investigators learned that between June 8, 2007 and July 15, 2007, Ryan Douglas Van Lieu, age 26, of Cottonwood placed numerous fraudulent orders to the US Mint to have coins shipped to UPS mailboxes. There were two UPS mailbox locations in Prescott, one in Prescott Valley and several more in Cottonwood and Flagstaff.

Prescott Police Investigators worked in conjunction with Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Investigators on this case. The Investigators learned that Mr. Van Lieu formerly worked at a Flagstaff hotel under a false name and used his position to obtain customer credit card information. He then used the information to purchase coins from the US Mint and had the coins shipped to multiple mailboxes.

Prescott Police Detectives and Yavapai County Sheriff’s Deputies worked with a Special Agent from the US Treasury and the US Mint Police to identify the fraudulent acts and the suspects involved. The total amount fraudulently obtained was in excess of $34,000.00.

A total of five suspects have been arrested in conjunction with this case to date, however, investigators believe Ryan Van Lieu was the leader of the criminal activity. Van Lieu was arrested and charged with multiple felony counts of Fraudulent Schemes, Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card, Theft of a Credit Card and Aggravated Identity Theft. He was booked into Yavapai County Jail.

Prescott Police also arrested Brandon Glenn Wyrick, age 19, of Cottonwood for a felony count of Fraudulent Schemes after he helped Mr. Van Lieu by renting mailboxes.

A sixth suspect, Bonnie C. Hanan, age 24, of Cottonwood had involvement in the case and she signed a false name to pick up the coins. Hanan, identified as Mr. Van Lieu’s former girlfriend, faces a felony charge of Forgery but was not immediately arrested.

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Investigator also booked three others for involvement in this case. The charges are Forgery and Fraudulent Schemes.

This investigation is ongoing.

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