Maryland man wanted in mail fraud scheme believed to be in Florida

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – A Maryland man wanted for his alleged involvement in a mail fraud scheme is believed to be in Florida.

The FBI said Brian Wallen, 52, has been on the run since April, when he disappeared from his Baltimore-area home.

According to a federal indictment, Wallen obtained money from businesses and nonprofit organizations by shipping and then billing customers for unwanted and vastly overpriced lightbulbs and cleaning supplies from 2003 to 2014.

Federal investigators said Wallen used several shell companies to distribute the products, invoice customers for more than $100 million and collect more than $50 million from businesses.

Wallen has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud. A warrant for Wallen's arrest was issued in May.

Investigators believe Wallen, who is considered armed and dangerous with suicidal tendencies, may be in Florida.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to Wallen's arrest.

According to the ABC affiliate in Baltimore, the FBI is placing billboards with Wallen's face along Interstate 95 from Maryland to Miami.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the FBI.