Bank customers noticed $175k missing over a year – while manager bought a brand-new motorcycle and paid off her debts | PSVY4Q9 | 2024-04-13 19:08:01
She focused aged clients as a result of they've a more durable time understanding their finances, her plea
A BANK manager drained the accounts of four elderly clients to fund her lavish way of life and pay off private debts.
She focused aged clients as a result of they've a more durable time understanding their finances, her plea agreement stated.
From February 20, 2020, to Might 25, 2021, Andrea Nicole Hopkins, 28, diverted cash from buyer accounts into her personal whereas she labored on the Commerce Bank in St. Louis, Missouri, in line with the United States Attorney's Office.
The victims of her crime included two 80-year-olds, one 82-year-old, and one 95-year-old.
Hopkins logged into 15 accounts and transferred cash into cashier's checks or pay as you go cards in different individuals's names, per her plea.
She modified the handle on some account statements and cast signatures.
Hopkins finally scammed a complete of $328,273 from buyer accounts.
The thief even tried to hide her crime by transferring a part of the funds, roughly $152,431, among clients in an attempt to hide the thefts.
That left Hopkins with $175,842 for herself.
The previous bank supervisor used the stolen money to purchase herself a motorbike, pay for dwelling bills, and pay private debts.
AFTERMATH
Hopkins pleaded responsible to four felony counts of bank fraud in 2023.
On Might eight, the previous financial institution manager was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison.
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> Commerce Bank has since returned the stolen cash to their clients.
In 2022, 88,262 individuals over the age of 60 have been the victims of fraud, in accordance with a report from the Internet Crime Grievance Middle.
This resulted in over $three million in complete losses, about $35,000 per victim.
It was an 84% improve in losses from 2021.
Nevertheless, 5,456 victims lost over $100,000.
Shelia Cote, the director of the Workplace of Senior Providers in Macomb County, Michigan, acknowledged just how intensely seniors are being targeted.
"It's rampant," stated Cote, in response to Macomb Daily.
<p class="article__content--intro"> As scams turn into more refined with using synthetic intelligence, it is vital you understand how to identify a rip-off and the right way to keep away from them. </p> </div> </div> "I feel everyone is aware of somebody who has been scammed."
The U.S. Sun has previously reported on a number of elder scams including a couple who lost $1.46 million in a six-month scam.
A fraudster had pretended to be a financial institution employee and US Marshall who banned them from chatting with their family.
More >> https://ift.tt/mdtRVJX Source: MAG NEWS
