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FBI puts billboards up along 95 to try and catch a Baltimore County man on the run

Brian Wallen wanted for role in $50-million scam
Posted at 6:40 PM, Sep 07, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-07 19:31:17-04

For four years, Brian Wallen was one of two people running a business that's sole purpose was to trick other companies.          

With the Feds closing in, the 52-year-old disappeared back in April. He left a suicide note at his Baltimore County home, and his jeep was found ditched about a half-mile away near Loch Raven Reservoir.

"There was an exhaustive search by Baltimore County, our partners, which resulted in no body being discovered, Mr. Wallen we believe is out there,” said Criminal Assistant Special Agent in Charge with the Baltimore FBI, Scott Hinckley.

Out there and on the run. But investigators have an idea of where Wallen could be hiding out.

"He's from Lutherville, he's 52-years-old, he has ties to Baltimore, but he also has ties to Florida, so we believe he's either in the Maryland area or in Florida," Hinckley said.

The FBI wants people to know Wallen's face, so billboards are being put up this week along I-95 from the Baltimore area all the way down to Miami, Florida.

The scam mainly operated out of an office in Reisterstown and another location in Florida, investigators said. Workers would ship boxes of light bulbs and cleaning supplies to businesses across the country. Many times, the products were never ordered, and every time the companies were massively overcharged.

The scam was shut down in 2014, yet managed to cheat thousands of businesses out of nearly $60-million.

Wallen's partner in the fraudulent company, 56-year-old Andrew Stafford was picked up Wednesday in Harford County. Six others from Maryland and Pennsylvania already plead guilty for their roles in the scheme.     

Anyone who sees Wallen or knows where he is should call the Baltimore FBI at 410-265-8080. Callers could receive up to $5,000 for information that leads to his arrest.

If you think your company was swindled click HERE.