Man Wanted for Wire Fraud and Bank Fraud Hiding in Plain Sight in SC
According to local authorities, a con man wanted for wire fraud and bank fraud charges in Indiana has been hiding out in the Charleston area. A warrant for his arrest has been reinstated.
63-year-old Douglas Martin is wanted on four counts of fraud charges in Indiana for writing bad checks. He has a checkered criminal past which led him to flee to South Carolina. He was released on $22,500 bail in 2011, but fled to Folly Beach before he could be prosecuted. He was arrested again in the Charleston area on November 7th, but Martin was taken to the hospital on November 11th, then returned to jail that evening. On the 16th, Allen County officials hired an agency to extradite Martin for trial, but the warrant was dropped shortly after they received reports that Martin was in such poor health that he was unable to travel. Officials in Allen County believed, based on the reports that Martin was near death. They removed the warrant because they did not want Allen County or Charleston County to be responsible for Martin’s medical bills, so he was released, free to remain in Charleston County.
However, Indiana officials believe Martin to have been faking his illness. The warrant has been reinstated after police were called to Martin’s home in Folly Beach after he reported a burglary. Officers say that Martin’s version of the burglary is correct, although they have reason to believe now that he was faking his illness.
Martin’s Checkered Past – Bank Fraud and Wire Fraud Charges
Martin has reportedly been conning people for years.
He is most notorious for conning women out of their money. He pretended to be a doctor with a woman he met online, conning her out of $60,000 which he said would collect more interest in his bank account. Another woman he met online reported that he asked her to marry him after two weeks, and move to South Carolina. He set up an elaborate scheme pretending to be a surgeon and decorated naval officer. He received a personal $700 loan from her which he never repaid.
Martin was indicted on federal court charges of wire fraud and making false statements, but the case was dropped before it went to trial. In 2010, he had been convicted of bank fraud by using a false social security number and writing bad checks.
Wire Fraud and Bank Fraud Defense – The Strom Law Firm Can Help
The Strom Law Firm’s federal criminal defense lawyers handle cases involving:
The Strom Law Firm’s federal criminal defense lawyers handle cases involving:- Fraudulent insurance claims
- Bond issuances and investment schemes
- Falsifying loan applications
- Check fraud schemes
- Bribes or kickbacks
- False advertising or misrepresentation in sales transactions
Our firm provides extensive experience representing clients in major criminal cases and investigations involving wire fraud, bank fraud, and RICO violations. While we strive to resolve matters discreetly through aggressive negotiation, our fraud attorneys will not hesitate to take your case to trial.
If you face wire fraud, bank fraud, or other federal charges, the Columbia, SC attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. We offer free, confidential consultations, so do not hesitate to contact us. 803.252.4800
