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Brooklyn Crew Stole $100K by Cashing Money Orders Multiple Times, DA Says

By Ben Fractenberg | April 14, 2017 10:16am | Updated on April 17, 2017 8:38am
 A group of seven Brooklyn men stole more than $100,000 by depositing money orders multiple times, prosecutors said.
A group of seven Brooklyn men stole more than $100,000 by depositing money orders multiple times, prosecutors said.
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BROOKLYN — A group of scammers used bank apps to steal more than $100,000 by cashing money orders multiple times, prosecutors said.

The seven men recruited 47 account holders with TD Bank, Santander and Bancorp from June 2014 through March to allow them to deposit money orders using bank apps into their accounts, and then withdrew the funds that were immediately made available, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office.

The crew would then erase the account holder’s name from the order and cash it out again at a post office.

“These defendants allegedly engaged in an intricate scheme to steal thousands of dollars from financial institutions and exploited a loophole in mobile electronic bank deposit applications,” acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said in a statement.

“These loses turn into financial costs [which] are ultimately passed onto bank customers. My Office will continue to work closely with the United States Postal Service to remain vigilant in the face [of] crime which capitalizes on changing technology.”

Investigators busted Flatbush-Ditmas Park residents Jermel Belfast, 30, Kadeem Bryan, 23, Juvaun Clarke, 25, Chevelle Gordon, 20, and Brian McIntosh, 23; as well as Steven Leger, 23, of East Flatbush and Dakim Willis, 25, of Flatlands.

The crew was indicted on conspiracy, grand larceny and scheme to defraud charges.

The defendants were all arraigned in Brooklyn Supreme Court Wednesday and Thursday.

Information on their lawyers were not immediately available.