Memphis Man Indicted for Fraud Scheme Targeting Nonprofit Organizations

Memphis, TN– Jaime Walsh, 53, has been charged in an eight-count federal indictment for multiple forms of fraud, including wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, and fraudulent claims against the government. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the indictment today.

According to the indictment, between June of 2013 and March of 2019, Walsh carried out a scheme to defraud various organizations including charities, nonprofit entities, and the Peace Corps. Walsh’s scheme was to make an online donation to an organization, contact the organization claiming the donation amount was in error, and ask for a refund to correct the error.

For example, Walsh would make an online donation of $4500 to an organization. He would then contact the organization, claiming he intended to donate only $45, and ask for a refund of $4455. The organization would issue the requested refund and Walsh would immediately withdraw the money from his account. Meanwhile, the original donation made by Walsh would be rejected due to insufficient funds and the targeted organization would suffer a complete loss of the refunded amount.

If convicted, Walsh faces up to 20 years imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Fraudulent schemes that steal precious resources from nonprofit victims represent the very worst acts of dishonesty and betrayals of trust. We commend our federal and state law enforcement partners for their outstanding investigation in this disturbing case."

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), U.S. Secret Service, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the Peace Corps Office of the Inspector General.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Smith is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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