An investigation that started in Fairburn has led local sheriff's deputies

to a large identity theft ring operated out of a Tyrone home, police said.

Detectives found thousands of fake IDs and credit cards in the home, and

felony identity theft charges are being filed piecemeal as victims are contacted

to confirm the information, said Fayette County Sheriff's Det. Aaron

Fenimore.

Detectives have determined how the suspects have been getting the real information,

including Social Security numbers, income data, employment information along

with addresses and phone numbers, Fenimore said.

It is possible that federal agents will take over the case due to the large

number of victims from different cities, Fenimore added. Until that happens,

however, Fenimore will be contacting victims so more warrants can be taken.

The investigation began with an arrest by Fairburn police, leading local

deputies to the Tyrone home at 106 Wilmington Place, where they arrested

Morolake O. Oquinijinmi, the wife of the suspect who was initially arrested

The Oquinijinmis were planning to leave the area for Nigeria Oct. 29, he

added.

Fenimore speculated Friday that it's likely the couple was going to

take the information they collected to Nigeria so it could be sold for the

creation of fake credit cards and banking accounts.

The detective declined to explain how the Oquinijinmis secured the information,

but he said it would be revealed at a later date.

"It's pretty amazing," Fenimore said.

A total of eight identity fraud charges have been filed on Mrs. Oquinijinmi

as of Friday morning, Fenimore said.

It all started with the investigation in Fairburn, led by Det. Ben Pace,

Fenimore added. That information ultimately led to the search warrant served

in Tyrone, he said.