July 19, 2007

            LANSING -- Attorney General Mike Cox today announced that he has charged Krystal Owens of Detroit with three-counts of identity theft and one-count of conspiring to commit identity theft.

            "Identity theft is a devastating crime to its victims," said Cox. "My office will continue to be vigilant in defending Michigan's citizens from having their identities stolen."

            Since January 2007, the Michigan Attorney General's Office has received more than 130 complaints from consumers across the country indicating that K.A.T.O. Technology, LLC, also known as K.A.M.K. Technology, LLC, had charged $12.95 against their credit card without their permission.  The Attorney General's investigation found that in the summer of 2006, the defendant Krystal Owens conspired with Tomas Lasinkas of POV Web Design Solutions to set up bogus corporations, banking accounts, and other arrangements thereby enabling Lasinkas to make unauthorized charges against consumers credit card accounts using the bogus company names K.A.T.O. Technology, LCC and K.A.M.K. Technology, LLC.   From September 2006 to March 2006, Lasinkas made 75 to 100 unauthorized charges, at $12.95 each, on a daily basis, and Owens wired the illegal proceeds to Lasinkas' bank accounts in Bulgaria on a regular basis.  Lasinkas and Owens accumulated approximately $200,000 by way of this fraudulent activity during a six month period.

            A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  The penalty for identity theft is up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine up to $10,000.    

            If you think you've been a victim of identity theft contact the Attorney General's office by calling toll free 1-(877)-765-8388 or visiting www.michigan.gov/ag.

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