Man Faces Felony Charges For Defrauding Bucks Resident Out Of $197K

DOYLESTOWN, PA —A Texas man wanted in Bedminster Township for defrauding a resident out of $197,100 is back in Bucks County to face five felony charges.

The Lancaster Police Department in Texas arrested Torian Devonte Fridia on June 7 on an arrest warrant out of Bedminster Township. On June 25, the 31-year-old man was transported back to Bucks County by the Bucks County Sheriff's Department, where he was arraigned before District Judge Gallagher.

Detectives began investigating the case in July 2023, when a Bedminster Township resident reported fraud involving a Home Equity Line of Credit account. Detectives determined that someone set up an online bank account and moved money from the victim’s Home Equity Line of Credit account into a fraudulent checking account.

Investigators said two checks totaling $389,200 were issued from the fraudulent checking account.

After a lengthy investigation, t was determined that Fridia was responsible for depositing one of the checks for $197,100 into a bank account and then making withdrawals.

The investigation is still active. According to the case summary, investigators are continuing to work to determine the identity of the person responsible for depositing the second check.

Fridia has been charged with forgery, theft by deception, theft, receiving stolen property, and access device fraud.