COLUMBUS — Drekian Dowdell, arrested three years ago in connection with a multimillion-dollar “card-cracking” scheme, has pleaded guilty to several charges, the Columbus Police Department announced Thursday.
The 2021 investigation by CPD’s Financial Crimes Unit uncovered a series of mail thefts targeting business mailboxes and USPS blue collection boxes. These thefts led to stolen checks, copied account numbers, and counterfeit checks used in a scam known as “card cracking.”
According to the American Bankers Association, card cracking fraud involves victims responding to online offers of “easy money” by providing debit card information for withdrawals against fake check deposits.
Police identified Dowdell as the ringleader behind multiple incidents tied to this fraudulent operation.
Dowdell pleaded guilty to two counts each of identity fraud, theft by deception, and third-degree forgery, CPD Sgt. Jane Edenfield confirmed.
He was sentenced to four years in prison followed by 10 years probation.
“A four-year sentence for financial fraud reflects the seriousness of the offense and establishes that such crimes in Columbus will be met with real accountability,” the police statement said.
