(Snellville, Georgia)  On Friday, November 17, officers assigned to the South Precinct arrested Teisha Dunbar (age 26, Decatur) and Nicholas Gates (age 29, Palmetto) and obtained arrest warrants for Natiya Pope (age 40, Union City) in reference to a string of airplane ticket and internet scams done mainly on Craigslist. 

The suspects are accused of operating an elaborate scam on social media to advertise Delta Airlines airplane tickets and Comcast box internet for sale on Craigslist.  Neither the tickets or internet turned out to be real or legit.

A Grayson woman found an advertisement posted on the internet and made the purchase through the suspects online.  Shortly after making the transaction, the victim discovered that her purchase was a scam.  Deciding to take it a step further, the victim recontacted the suspects claiming to want to make another transaction.  This time, she wanted to meet the suspects in person and pay in cash.  Just before the arranged meeting time, the woman called the Gwinnett County Police Department, and South Precinct officers met with the victim and the suspects at a local hair salon on Centerville Highway in unincorporated Snellville.  Gates and Dunbar were arrested at the scene.  Pope remains at large. 

Gates, Dunbar, and Pope have each been charged with 2 counts of Theft by Deception (felony).  The Gwinnett County Police Department urges any other victims to call their local law enforcement agency to report any fradulent transactions involving these suspects.  The number of charges that each of them face could rise. 

The lead investigator said, “This case and subsequent arrests would not be possible without the bravery, persistence, and determination of the victim who decided to turn the tables on the perpetrators.” 

Click here to access the report and photos of the suspects.