LEWISBURG W.Va. (WVDN) – According to a criminal complaint, police were contacted by an individual concerning fraudulent activity on their PayPal account and credit card. The unknown suspect had allegedly gained access to the victim’s accounts and used them at the Lewisburg Lowe’s and Shell Station.
The victim reported that they contacted the PayPal fraud department and learned the suspect had gained login credentials to his account and changed his address to one in Ronceverte and also changed the associated email and phone number.
The victim learned the fraudulent charges were as follows:
Lewisburg Lowe’s $185.86 Nov. 14.
Lewisburg Shell $34.75 Nov. 13.
Lewisburg Shell $9.48 Nov. 13.
The transactions had reportedly been carried out with “tap to pay” which is a way to attach a card to a smartphone.
Apple Pay and Google Pay are common platforms that support this type of payment.
An officer went to Lewisburg Lowe’s to obtain details on the $185.86 purchase. According to the criminal complaint, the manager located the receipt for the purchase which occurred at 7:01 a.m. on Nov. 14. The items purchased were:
1: Red Bull Blue Edition 12 oz $ 3.88
2:3.5 led Minnie Mouse Christmas Inflatable $34.98
3: 100 count warm white LED string lights $8.98 ×5, $44.90
4: 3.5 ft led Dinosaur Inflatable $19.98
5: 3.5 led Mickey Mouse Inflatable $34.98
6: 3.5 led Bluey Inflatable $34.98
Subtotal:$173.70
Total tax:$12:16
Total:185.86
The above transaction was allegedly completed at self-checkout with tap to pay. The surveillance video of this transaction was requested from Lowe’s Corporation.
On the same day at around 2 p.m., the officer went to the Shell Station on Rt. 219 North of Lewisburg. The officer spoke to the manager. He was reportedly able to search the transaction based on the amount. The manager provided the officer with a copy of the receipt. The transaction occurred on Nov. 21. Below is a list of the items purchased.
1: Red Bull Blue edition $3
2: Red Bull Blue edition $3
3: Red Bull Blue edition $3
4: Frito chips $5.89
5: Dr. Pepper cherry $2.89
6: Red Bull Blue edition $3
7: fl jala chd $3.59
8: Sonoma KS men dk $55.86
9. Fuel $30.
Subtotal: $109.73
Tax:$4.92
Total: $114.65
The above transaction was allegedly completed by the suspect using rap to pay at the counter.
While at the Shell Station, the officer received a video of the transaction and still photos of the suspect, who, according to the criminal complaint was wearing a red sweatshirt with the Visor construction logo and name on the back. The suspect also reportedly appeared to be driving a dark-colored Jeep Renegade.
Police viewed the photographs and recognized the suspect to be Christopher Landis, 29, of Ronceverte.
Upon the same date, officers went to the address in Ronceverte to look for Landis, according to the criminal complaint. Upon arrival at the residence, the officers reportedly noted Christmas inflatables in the yard and a dark-colored Jeep Renegade parked near the house. Upon approaching the front porch Christopher Landis allegedly opened the front door and agreed to accompany the officers to the Lewisburg WVSP detachment.
According to the criminal complaint, Landis said he obtained access to a Greenbrier County Clerk website that contained access to several social security numbers and other information related to public information of residents of Greenbrier County. While on said site, Landis obtained information on two individuals. He allegedly used that information to obtain their account information for PayPal and Chase. Once he gained that information he was able to select an option that let him add their credit cards to his tap-to-pay option. Landis allegedly admitted he had used their cards to make purchases at Lowe’s and the Shell Station on multiple occasions.
Landis was arrested and booked into Southern Regional Jail on Dec. 11. His bail is set at $10,000.
