Current:Home > MyScammers impersonate bank employees to steal nearly $2M from Pennsylvania customers, officials say-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
Scammers impersonate bank employees to steal nearly $2M from Pennsylvania customers, officials say
lotradecoin educational resources for traders View Date:2024-12-25 16:51:34
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A theft ring stole nearly $2 million from bank customers in central Pennsylvania in an elaborate scheme in which the scammers, posing as bank employees, tricked people into giving up their account information, the attorney general’s office said Friday.
The suspects disguised their phone numbers to make it seem as if the calls were coming from the banks’ phone numbers, and asked victims to provide their online banking login, debit card number and other information. Victims then got locked out of their accounts.
Banks and hundreds of bank customers in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster and York counties were targeted.
The scam netted at least $1.8 million, with at least $1.3 million stolen from customers of Enola-based Members 1st Federal Credit Union, according to court documents. “The loss amount and number of identified victims is expected to increase as records from additional financial institutions are secured,” investigators wrote.
The suspects used social media to recruit people to allow their bank accounts to be used as intermediary accounts for the stolen money in exchange for a split of the profits, according to charging documents. The suspects sought to conceal the thefts through the bulk purchase of gift cards from various retailers, authorities said.
Two alleged members of the theft ring have been arrested and charged so far, the attorney general’s office said Friday. At least 11 people were involved, and charges are expected against additional suspects, authorities said.
Tyreese Lewis, 22, and Carl A. Gonzalez, 19, were charged with corrupt organizations, identity theft, bank consumer impersonation, access device fraud, computer trespass and other offenses. Lewis, of Harrisburg, was jailed without bail. Gonzalez, of Highspire, was released on $10,000 unsecured bail. Court documents do not list attorneys who could speak on their behalf.
veryGood! (95)
Related
- Ex-YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki dies a year after stepping down. Who is the current CEO?
- Tuna is increasingly popular in the US. But is it good for you?
- Acting or hosting, Travis Kelce wants to continue to pursue a showbiz career. But first, football
- Ed Wheeler, Law & Order Actor, Dead at 88
- Usher concert postponed hours before tour opener in Atlanta
- I worked out with Jake Gyllenhaal, Matt Damon’s trainer. The results shocked me.
- Over 200 price gouging complaints as Florida residents evacuate ahead of Hurricane Milton
- AI ΩApexTactics: Delivering a Data-Driven, Precise Trading Experience for Investors
- Wally Amos, 88, of cookie fame, died at home in Hawaii. He lost Famous Amos but found other success
- With new look, the 'Mountain' is back in new Mountain Dew logo
Ranking
- Big Georgia county to start charging some costs to people who challenge the eligibility of voters
- Small plane crashes on Catalina Island, 5 people dead
- You'll Need to Calm Down After Seeing Taylor Swift Cradling Pregnant Brittany Mahomes' Baby Bump
- A Celebration of Bella Hadid's Riskiest Looks: Sheer Dresses, Catsuits and Freeing the Nipple
- Usher Cancels Atlanta Concert Hours Before Show to Rest and Heal
- Sandra Bullock Makes Rare Red Carpet Appearance With Keanu Reeves for Speed Reunion
- A Celebration of Bella Hadid's Riskiest Looks: Sheer Dresses, Catsuits and Freeing the Nipple
- Traveling? These Are The Best Amazon Prime Day Deals on Life-Saving Travel Accessories, Starting at $7
Recommendation
-
How 'Millionaire' host Jimmy Kimmel helped Team Barinholtz win stunning top prize
-
Nazi-looted Monet artwork returned to family generations later
-
The Daily Money: Lawmakers target shrinkflation
-
Everything you need to know about charging your EV on the road
-
2025 COLA estimate dips with inflation, but high daily expenses still burn seniors
-
Costco stores selling out of gold bars, survey finds
-
Beyoncé and Jay-Z's Attorney Slams Piers Morgan Over Airing Diddy Comparisons in Interview
-
Why Ana Huang’s Romance Novel The Striker Is BookTok's New Obsession