cell for cash

cell for cashOVERLAND PARK, KAN. - Johnson County prosecutors have charged a Missouri man with stealing more than $100,000 from the Sprint Corporation.

Prosecutors say the elaborate scheme eliminated cell phone bills for countless Sprint customers. And, this is the second man to be charged in this scam.

During a two year period, the Johnson County Sheriff's Department says the two erased more than $133,000 in cell phone charges. In exchange, Sprint customers paid the two men cash.

Prosecutors charged 44-year-old Gary Morrow with felony theft. Sheriff deputies say he worked with 39-year-old Timothy Flowers, of Overland Park, to clear cell phone bills in exchange for cash.

Flowers already has been charged with felony theft and computer crime.

Deputies say Morrow would make the deals with Sprint customers, get their account information and forward it to Flowers, who worked in Sprint's billing department.

Investigators say Flowers then would reduce the customer's bill to zero.

"Sprint phones are a very popular phone, especially in Kansas and Missouri. It would be really easy to walk up to anybody, even just ask what kind of phone you carry. I carry a Sprint phone. Really, how much is your bill? My bill is $200. Give me $50, I guarantee your bill will be zero. It's very simple," said Deputy Tom Erickson.

Sprint spokesman Melinda Tiemeyer declined to comment on camera, but said Sprint's security team uncovered the fraud.

She said no customers had unwarranted charges added to their bills.