4 males are charged with stealing checks from the mail and cashing in additional than $50 million after altering the names and greenback quantities written on these checks, federal prosecutors mentioned. The 4 males allegedly deposited the altered checks at banks utilizing the altered names and greenback quantities on the as soon as reliable checks. Different stolen checks had been offered on a messaging platform dubbed “White Home Vibez,” U.S. Postal Inspectors mentioned.
Investigators say the scheme stretched from New York to Florida, New Jersey to Texas. Suspect Michael Pena, initially of Woodridge, New Jersey, was arrested in New York and charged with quite a few counts together with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit financial institution fraud, and id theft. One other suspect, Joshua Gutierrez from New York, was arrested in Florida. Postal Inspectors mentioned two others, Harrington Delahoz and Jaysen Dorsey — each from Manhattan — stay at massive.
US Lawyer Jay Clayton mentioned it was “…a massive, multimillion dollar scheme to steal innocent victims money. The defendants obtained real checks, including from the mail, forged the checks, falsified identities, sold the checks to others and took advantage of multiple financial institutions.”
Officers mentioned the scheme has been operating since April 2023. Quite a few stolen checks had been posted on the messaging platform on the market – and patrons had been supplied faux identifications that included social safety numbers to assist them money the stolen and altered checks, investigators mentioned. A number of the suspects allegedly boasted in regards to the success of the test stealing scheme on the messaging app with the intention to lure patrons of different stolen checks.
“Let today’s arrest serve as an example for those trying to make quick money while financially preying on the American public, Postal Inspectors will put an end to your criminal enterprise,” mentioned USPIS Performing Inspector-In-Cost Edward Gallashaw.
The defendants’ legal professionals weren’t instantly identified and calls to their listed houses for remark weren’t instantly returned.
Utilizing stolen private info, the suspects allegedly had been in a position to find out how a lot cash was in an account earlier than altering the test to steal the cash, investigators mentioned.
Photographs within the felony criticism allegedly present suspects like Pena withdrawing stolen cash from the financial institution. Pena was first arrested in Lowndes County, Georgia on state id theft prices and his cellphone allegedly helped to hyperlink him to the bigger nationwide theft ring.
Officers mentioned they’ve photos of the opposite suspects additionally depositing “…numerous fraudulent checks at financial institutions…”
The suspect may face a most of 30 years in jail on the highest federal counts if convicted.
