Coretta Bates, a 31-year-old woman wanted for orchestrating a bank fraud scheme, was arrested Wednesday in Atlanta after months on the run. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Bates had active federal warrants for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
The investigation began in October 2023 when authorities discovered multiple bank accounts being opened using fake North Carolina IDs. Bates allegedly stole more than $165,000 from victims across the southeastern United States.
In a press release issued earlier this week, Hillsborough County deputies, along with the United States Secret Service Tampa Field Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, identified Bates as the prime suspect. She was apprehended in Atlanta and is now facing charges related to her involvement in the extensive fraud operation.