Four scammers withdrew roughly $100,000 from a Manhattan Beach man’s bank account in one day by cashing bogus checks at five banks across the city, police said.
The crooks, within the span of one hour on July 11, cashed 17 fraudulent checks at TD Bank branches in Manhattan and Staten Island to collect the illicit money, according to cops.
One suspect, whom police said is between 40- and 50-years-old, withdrew cash from a Staten Island branch at 2:50 pm, before the second, whom cops said is between 30- and 40-years-old, hit up the same branch for more money at 3:18 pm after scamming another bank on The Rock at 2:39 pm.
The third con artist, whom officials said is in 20s, swindled two Manhattan banks less than ten blocks from each other around 3:16 pm, police said.
And the fourth nogoodnik claimed his bogus bounty — while smiling for a security camera, footage shows — at another branch on the distant isle at 3:15 pm, authorities said.
The victim didn’t learn about the thefts until roughly two weeks later, when his bank alerted him to possible fraudulent activity on July 23, according to cops.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577–8477. The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. All tips are strictly confidential.
