Credit card fraud suspect arrested after BMW spotted outside Richland County hotel

Going off of tips obtained through their investigation, deputies arrested a woman they believe stole credit card information after they spotted her BMW outside of a Richland County hotel, according to officials.

Deputies from Kershaw and Richland counties arrested Laura Ann Hamby, 26, Wednesday morning at Red Roof Inn, 7580 Two Notch Road. Her last known address in South Carolina was on Murraywood Road in Darlington.

Starting in July up to the time of her arrest, the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office received complaints of financial transaction fraud from Mid Carolina and Safe Federal Credit Union, according to a news release from the office.

It appeared customers’ debit cards had been compromised and used in several locations in around the state.

Investigators collected identifying information from social media and surveillance videos from businesses in Florence, Kershaw, Lancaster and Richland counties, the release stated.

Investigators identified Hamby as the primary suspect, and warrants were obtained.

Deputues believe she was driving a white BMW vehicle and traveled from Myrtle Beach to Florida using credit card information she illegally obtained from Kershaw County residents.

Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews said the break came Wednesday morning after a tip came in with her whereabouts. A Kershaw County investigator observed a vehicle with that description at the Red Roof Inn before she was arrested.

“A lot of effort and team work among various law enforcement agencies went into this investigation,” Matthews said.

Hamby was charged with 16 counts of credit card forgery and four counts of credit card theft in Kershaw County.

Other jurisdictions, including Cayce, West Columbia, Richland County, Darlington County and Florence County are working with Kershaw County on this investigation and will proceed with further charges against Hamby.

She has previously arrests for hindering a police officer and driving under suspension.

She was booked into the Kershaw County Detention Center.

This story was originally published October 19, 2016 at 3:40 PM with the headline "Credit card fraud suspect arrested after BMW spotted outside Richland County hotel."