A Kissimmee man is facing multiple felony charges after investigators say he exploited Walmart’s return system to pocket thousands of dollars, targeting dozens of stores across Florida and Georgia through a “phantom receipt” refund scheme.
Authorities identified the suspect as Branden Nikita Brown, 31, who was arrested last Friday by the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators allege Brown ran the operation for more than a year, collecting nearly $10,000 in fraudulent refunds.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began in December 2024 at a Walmart in Yulee, where loss prevention employees noticed suspicious activity involving a customer who entered the store without any merchandise.
Deputies say Brown selected two mattresses directly from the sales floor and brought them to the customer service desk. Using a fake digital receipt displayed on his phone, he allegedly returned the unpaid items and received a cash refund.
Investigators say the Yulee incident was not isolated. Soon after, Walmart staff in Fernandina Beach reported similar suspicious behavior.
Working alongside Walmart’s corporate investigators, Nassau County detectives connected Brown to a broader pattern. Authorities allege that between January 2024 and February 2025, Brown attempted fraudulent returns at 41 Walmart locations throughout Florida and Georgia.
Sheriff Bill Leeper emphasized the scale of the alleged crimes, noting that the activity spanned 15 judicial circuits.
“This case shows that criminals don’t recognize county lines,” Leeper said. “Just like the criminals we pursue, our investigators don’t stop at county lines either, and I’m proud of their diligent work to hold this suspect accountable.”
Brown has been charged with six counts of retail theft. He is currently being held at the Nassau County Jail and Detention Center, with bond set at more than $120,000.