Three central Ohio men are accused in a $340,729 credit card fraud case tied to alleged Synchrony Bank account takeovers, according to Franklin County investigators.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating what authorities described as a Columbus-area scheme involving fraudulent address changes, replacement credit cards and retail purchases at stores including Lowe’s, Walmart and Kroger.
Central Ohio Credit Card Fraud Case Involves Account Takeovers
According to a complaint, the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission met in May with Synchrony Bank’s special investigations team about suspected fraud involving existing bank accounts. Investigators said account addresses were allegedly changed to locations in central Ohio before replacement cards were requested and shipped to Columbus-area addresses.
Authorities said the cards were then allegedly used to make purchases at several retailers. Investigators later connected additional addresses in and around Columbus to similar suspected activity.
Investigators Cite $340,729 in Alleged Fraudulent Charges
Security systems at a Lowe’s store captured 26 suspected fraudulent transactions, according to the sheriff’s office. Investigators said 10 Synchrony accounts were linked to those transactions, with each account showing an address change to the Columbus area.
Between August 2025 and June 2026, authorities believe 371 fraudulent address changes occurred. Investigators said 38 accounts were tied to $151,125.83 in fraudulent activity, while another 48 accounts allegedly generated an additional $187,603.87. The total alleged fraudulent charges reached $340,729.70.
Three Columbus-Area Men Named by Authorities
Surveillance footage helped investigators identify Kelvin Nimako of Westerville, Alize Frazier of Worthington and Benjamin Derby of Columbus, authorities said. Investigators alleged the men were found in possession of multiple fraudulently obtained credit cards.
Nimako and Derby face charges of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and forgery. Each was issued a $250,000 bond, with preliminary hearings scheduled for July 10. The year of the hearing date was not specified in the source material provided.
Authorities said Frazier has a warrant out for his arrest and is not currently in custody.
The case highlights how account takeover fraud can move from digital account changes to in-store retail purchases, leaving banks, retailers and account holders exposed to financial losses.
