A Texas man is accused of posing as Danville town officials in an email scam tied to fake zoning-related fees.
Police identified the suspect as Chaz Ray Chennault, 37, of Sulphur Springs, Texas. He was arrested in Texas after a Hendricks County warrant was issued.
The case began when a victim reported emails that appeared to come from Town of Danville officials.
Investigators said the victim believed the emails were real and sent thousands of dollars to a bank account allegedly controlled by Chennaul.
One Victim Sent Thousands of Dollars
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Danville police said the emails appeared to come from local officials and referenced fees supposedly owed for a zoning matter. Police said detectives later determined that publicly available town meeting information was used to help make the emails appear legitimate.
The victim who reported the scam believed the emails were authentic and sent thousands of dollars to Chennault’s bank account, according to police.
Authorities did not release the exact loss amount or identify the victim.
Police said several other people received similar emails but contacted town officials before sending money. Those calls helped prevent additional payments and also showed investigators that the emails were part of a wider pattern, not a single mistaken message.
Detectives Traced the Emails and Financial Records
Investigators reviewed financial records, email accounts, internet activity, and other information during the case. Search warrants helped detectives connect the fake communications and payment trail to Chennault, according to police.
The investigation focused on how the emails were created, how the town-official impersonation was carried out, and where the victim’s money was sent.
Police said the fake messages were designed to convince recipients they owed fees that were not actually due.
Chennault Was Arrested in Texas
A Hendricks County arrest warrant was issued July 6. Chennault was later arrested in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and was being held at the Hopkins County jail while awaiting extradition to Indiana.
Online court records show Chennault faces charges of theft where the value of property lost is between $750 and $50,000, fraud where the loss is between $750 and $50,000, forgery, and identity deception.
Police Are Looking for Other Possible Victims
Danville police asked anyone who believes they were targeted by the same scam, or a similar one, to contact local authorities.
The case remains focused on the alleged use of public meeting information, fake town-official emails, and a bank account used to collect money from at least one victim.
Police did not announce additional arrests in the available reports.
Public Meeting Details Can Make Fake Fee Emails Look Real
A zoning hearing, permit application, variance request, board meeting, inspection, or public agenda item can give a scammer enough detail to make a fake payment demand sound official.
Anyone who receives an unexpected email about zoning, permitting, licensing, taxes, fines, or municipal fees should verify the charge directly with the town or county office using a phone number or website found independently, not the contact information in the email.
Suspected local-government impersonation scams should be reported to the real town or county office, the financial institution used for payment, and local law enforcement. Online fraud can also be reported to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.