5 men charged with running $2 million bank fraud scheme targeting York and Central Pa.
The state Attorney General's office has charged five Dauphin County men for leading what was described as a "widespread bank fraud operation" that resulted in the theft of about $2 million from people and financial institutions.
Tyreese Lewis, 22, of Harrisburg; Carl A. Gonzalez, 19, of Highspire; Jaire Cotton, 22, of Harrisburg; Lavon Whittaker, 22, of Harrisburg; and Zyaire Monserrat, 22, of Steelton, are accused of operating a scam that impersonated bank employees and customers to target financial institutions and customers in York, Cumberland, Dauphin and Lancaster counties.
“This was an elaborate scheme that involved impersonation of both bank employees and consumers to obtain personal information that enabled the defendants to steal millions of dollars,” Attorney General Henry was quoted as saying in a news release. “I commend everyone involved in the still-ongoing investigation, which began many months ago and included meticulous analysis of bank records and transactions. My office is committed to holding fully accountable everyone involved in this far-reaching scheme.”
How did it work?
The investigation, which uncovered numerous fraudulent bank transactions, revealed that Lewis and Gonzalez, and their unnamed co-conspirators, allegedly withdrew money from accounts or used stolen debit card information to purchase gift cards in an effort to cover up the thefts.
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The two men, according to the attorney general's office, used the illicit proceeds to buy items at department and apparel stores and gas stations, and cashed in numerous gift cards.
The evidence includes several mobile devices that contained information about hundreds of potential targets and communications about the scheme, the attorney general's office reported.
Lewis, of Harrisburg, was recently arrested in Los Angeles and returned to Dauphin County where he was arraigned and jailed without bail. Gonzalez, of Highspire, was arrested Thursday and released on $10,000 unsecured bail.
Whittaker, Monserrat and Cotton were recently arraigned. Authorities set unsecured bail at $100,000 for Whittaker and Monserrat and $10,000 for Cotton, the release states.
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This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Five charged with running $2 million bank fraud scheme in central Pa.
