A Metro Detroit Moving Company Hit by Fraud

A former financial controller, Deborah Beaudoin, is in hot water for allegedly stealing over $215,000 from Rose Moving and Storage.

The Investigation

• The fraud came to light in September 2023.
• The Van Buren Township Police Department initiated the investigation.
• Homeland Security joined and uncovered serious financial discrepancies.

The Fraud Scheme

• Beaudoin is accused of:
• Ordering company debit cards under fake names.
• Transferring business funds to her personal accounts.
• Withdrawing cash using ATMs at different banks.
• Creating fake entries in the company ledger for things like "repairs."

The Business Impact

• Rose Moving and Storage works with owner-operated truck drivers.
• The company usually fronts drivers $4,000 to $5,000 to get started.
• Beaudoin allegedly abused this system to steal from the company.

The Extent of the Fraud

• Homeland Security found that Beaudoin obtained over 60 fraudulent company debit cards from 2017 to 2023.
• She used Huntington Bank’s ATMs to withdraw stolen funds.
• The case involves interstate wire communication, leading to federal charges.

The Lesson

• The case highlights the importance of:
• Monitoring financial systems.
• Implementing strong checks.
• Ensuring better oversight and accountability in financial roles.