LAREDO, TX – Two former IBC Bank sales associates are headed to federal prison after a scheme to defraud the bank out of over $219,000. Antonieta De La Cruz, 36, and Anaiza Morales, 38, both of Laredo, were sentenced today following guilty pleas entered in late 2015 and early 2016.
U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña handed down 27-month sentences to both women, along with an order to pay $219,720.11 in restitution to IBC Bank. The judge expressed disappointment, noting the bank’s practice of internal promotion and the betrayal of trust exhibited by De La Cruz and Morales.
The pair exploited their positions between 2011 and July 2014, allegedly executing 31 unauthorized loans and advances. They falsified bank records, forged customer signatures and endorsements, and illegally pledged customers’ certificates of deposit as collateral – all without the account holders’ knowledge or consent. It was a calculated risk that ultimately failed.
The scheme resulted in a total loss of approximately $219,720.11 for IBC Bank. While the amount may seem relatively small in the grand scheme of financial crimes, the impact of such betrayal on a local institution, and its customers, is significant. The U.S. Secret Service led the investigation, a clear indication of the agency’s focus on protecting financial systems.
Morales has been permitted to remain on bond and will voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility at a date yet to be determined. De La Cruz remains in custody, having been held since her initial arrest. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher S. Coker is prosecuting the case, seeking full accountability for the fraudulent activity.
This case serves as a harsh reminder that even within established institutions, the risk of internal fraud remains a constant threat. The Secret Service investigation and subsequent prosecution demonstrate a commitment to pursuing and punishing those who abuse their positions for personal gain, regardless of their prior standing or perceived trustworthiness.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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