Godfred Obeng, Bank Fraud, Maryland 2023

A Glen Allen, Virginia man has been sentenced to three years in prison for his role in a bank fraud scheme that affected over 50 victims in Maryland and beyond.

Godfred Obeng, 38, was an account services specialist at Capital One Bank when he began accessing customer accounts to steal account numbers, cardholders’ names and addresses.

According to court documents, Obeng shared this information with co-conspirator Leslie Okyere in exchange for payment. From January 2012 to March 2013, other co-conspirators used the stolen credit card numbers to make fraudulent purchases by phone with The Home Depot.

The scheme involved recruiting college students to open bank accounts and provide their bank account information to the conspirators. The students were told that money would be transferred into these accounts from The Home Depot, but in reality, the conspirators canceled the orders and requested that the refunds be placed on their debit cards.

The total loss attributable to Obeng’s conduct was at least $338,548.45. Obeng was sentenced to three years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution of $338,548.45.

The sentencing was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Postal Inspector in Charge Maria L. Kelokates of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Washington Division; and John L. Phillips, Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, U.S. Department of the Treasury – Office of Inspector General.

Obeng’s sentence is the latest development in a case that has been part of the efforts undertaken in connection with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and U.S. Department of the Treasury – OIG for their work in the investigation.

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