A brazen Brooklyn man’s scheme to steal checks from the mail and defraud banks of over $240,000 has landed him in hot water, with a 25-year prison term on the line.
Noah Aranzamendi, 25, of Brooklyn, New York, was arraigned on May 9, 2024, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in Newark federal court and remains detained.
According to documents filed in the case, Aranzamendi and his co-conspirators targeted checks from the mail in Bergen County and elsewhere, selling or depositing them into the bank accounts of unsuspecting individuals who had given them access.
The scheme involved the use of stolen official USPS arrow keys to access mailboxes and steal checks, which were then altered or duplicated before being deposited into bank accounts.
As a result of the scheme, victims suffered losses of at least $240,213. Aranzamendi and his conspirators also created false identifications to make fraudulent withdrawals from the accounts.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office credited postal inspectors and special agents with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General for their role in uncovering the scheme.
Aranzamendi faces charges of bank fraud conspiracy, punishable by up to 30 years in prison, and receipt and possession of stolen mail, punishable by up to five years in prison. The charges carry fines of up to $1 million and $250,000, respectively.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachelle M. Navarro of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark. Aranzamendi’s indictment is a stark reminder of the need for vigilance in protecting against mailbox theft and financial crimes.
Related Federal Cases
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Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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