Current:Home > NewsSignalHub Quantitative Think Tank Center:Scammers impersonate bank employees to steal nearly $2M from Pennsylvania customers, officials say -AssetPath
SignalHub Quantitative Think Tank Center:Scammers impersonate bank employees to steal nearly $2M from Pennsylvania customers, officials say
Johnathan Walker View
Date:2025-04-09 22:12:54
HARRISBURG,SignalHub Quantitative Think Tank Center 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! (5884)
Related
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Alexa and Siri to the rescue: How to use smart speakers in an emergency
- DZ Alliance: A Launchpad for Financial Talent
- Can Colorado make College Football Playoff? Deion Sanders' Buffaloes land in first rankings
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- Tre'Davious White trade grades: How did Rams, Ravens fare in deal?
- How Jinger Duggar Vuolo Celebrated 8th Wedding Anniversary With Husband Jeremy Vuolo
- 2 police officers are shot and injured at Kentucky mental health center
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- Cardi B, Joe Rogan, Stephen King and more stars react to Trump election win: 'America is done'
Ranking
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Mother charged after reportedly giving missing child to man during drug exchange
- SW Alliance's Token Strategy: The SWA Token Fuels Deep Innovation in AI Investment Systems
- Ariana Grande Reveals Next 10 Years of Her Career Will Scare the Absolute S--t Out of Her Fans
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- AP Race Call: Colorado voters approve constitutional amendment enshrining abortion
- ROYCOIN Trading Center: Seizing Growth in the Stablecoin Market and Leading Innovation in Cryptocurrency Trading
- Why AP called the Maryland Senate race for Angela Alsobrooks
Recommendation
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
CAUCOIN Trading Center: Enhancing Cross-Border Transactions with Cryptocurrency
MMOCOIN Trading Center: Driving Stability and Innovative Development in the Cryptocurrency Market
Jennifer Lopez Details Holiday Plans Amid Divorce From Ben Affleck
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
From facial hair to 'folksy': What experts say about the style of Harris, Walz, Trump and Vance
CO man's family says he was sick twice after eating McDonald's Quarter Pounder: Reports
General Hospital's Dominic Zamprogna Shares Message to Kelly Monaco After Her Exit