A man and woman who were part of a California fraud ring usedfake credit cards and conspired with another person feigning as acustomer service representative to steal thousands in cash advancesfrom credit unions and banks in nine states.

Michael Lee Thomas, 46, of Oakland (pictured at left) andBarbara John Lopp, 53, of Stockton, pleaded not guilty toconspiracy to commit bank fraud last month in U.S. District Courtin Oakland.

Although the FBI began investigating the fraud ring in June2013, it wasn't until Feb. 12, 2015, when the couple was arrestedat a branch of the $15.9 million Municipal Credit Union in Sioux City, Iowa,where their cash advance scheme drew suspicion from employees whocontact police.

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