A former New York-based branch manager of an international financial institution has pleaded guilty to stealing over $208,000 from a customer’s accounts.
James Gomes, 43, of New York, admitted to using his position to improperly access bank accounts in the name of a bank customer without approval. He enrolled the customer’s accounts in the bank’s online banking services, linked his personal phone number to the customer’s accounts, and created a fraudulent email address containing the customer’s name, which he linked to the customer’s accounts.
Gomes used the fraudulent email address to “correspond” with his official bank email address to make it appear that the customer was sending instructions to the bank. He then fraudulently transferred a total of $208,939 from the customer’s accounts to his personal bank accounts at other financial institutions, to his personal investment account, and to pay his personal cell phone bill.
The scheme continued even after the customer died on April 5, 2020. Gomes faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled for November 6, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger credited special agents and task force officers of IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan in Newark; and special agents of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General, New York Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patricia Tarasca, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marko Pesce of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark and Trial Attorneys D. Zachary Adams and Chelsea Rooney of the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section. The investigation also involved the Morristown Police Department.
Related Federal Cases
- NY Bank Manager Stole $208K from Customer · New Jersey
- Romanians Nabbed in $183K Bank Heist Scheme · Pennsylvania
- Nesbit Accused of Bank Heist in Fort Lee · New Jersey
- Bank Manager Admits Coordinating $5M COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme · Pennsylvania
- Republic First Bank Collapses: Fulton Bank Swoops In · Iowa
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News