A Boone County woman has been arrested following attempts at identity fraud. Twenty-year-old Alexis McClelland is facing charges of financial identity fraud.

According to the probable cause affidavit, on March 18, investigators from the Boone County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible financial identity fraud case. The victims, an elderly couple in their 70’s, provided banking information to investigators, which showed checks fraudulently written and cashed in the Pulaski County area on February 29 and two online transactions in Hot Springs on March 7.

During the investigation, it was discovered that the funds from the victims’ account had been deposited into an account belonging to McClelland. Bank records revealed a $500 transfer and a $2,000 transfer on the same day. Another record showed an additional $1,000 withdrawal from McClelland, indicating her awareness of the successful transfers. A final transfer of $2,000 was attempted, but the bank intercepted the transaction and alerted the victims.

The bank withdrew the funds from McClelland’s account and returned them to the victims. On March 13, a letter was sent to McClelland notifying her of the removal of the funds from her account.

During an interview, McClelland admitted to transferring money from the victim’s account to her account. However, she alleged her friend told her to do it and that she was supposed to “CashApp” the money back to them. McClelland stated she had been communicating with her friend via instant messaging on their Instagram accounts.

McClelland is facing felony charges of financial identity fraud and theft of property. She is scheduled to appear in Boone County Circuit court on May 14.

(From KTLO)