A 15-year-old Deltona High School student is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly stealing the identities of at least a dozen individuals across the country as part of an organized fraud scheme he was running with his mother’s permission.
Elijah Duett, who turned 15 on August 21, was arrested by Volusia County Sheriff’s detectives for a multi-month scheme in which he allegedly stole social security numbers, credit card numbers, and bank login information from at least 17 victims around the country.
Duett first came under investigation in May, when he was accused of making written threats to kill another student who didn’t pay into the organized pyramid fraud scheme that he was operating.
During their continued investigation, police discovered that Duett had been purchasing a significant amount of stolen personal and financial information online. In addition to the slew of sensitive documents, Duett also had detailed instructions on the steps and equipment needed to forge money orders.
In total, authorities identified 17 victims of identity theft and grand theft from across the country.
As the investigation continued, detectives also discovered messages between Duett and his mother, 38-year-old Selena Wallace, that suggested she was supporting the venture. In texts, Wallace told her son she wished he could “use his special abilities” in a legal way, before asking him to raise his prices and increase his profits.
A search warrant was executed for Duett’s home and twelve laptops, four printers, four cell phones, gaming systems, and other technology was seized by police.
Duett is facing 15 counts of identity theft, obtaining property by fraud, illegal use of credit cards and unlawful use of a 2-way communication device. Wallace was arrested on principal charges to each count, along with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.