Igor Shushpanov, Bank Fraud, Florida 2022

Tampa, Florida – In a shocking turn of events, former banker Igor Shushpanov (39, Tampa) pleaded guilty to a criminal information charging him with one count of bank fraud. This devastating act of deception has left the community reeling, and law enforcement agencies are breathing a sigh of relief as justice is finally being served.

According to the plea agreement, from as early as February 2017, until in and around July 30, 2022, Shushpanov opened checking accounts at multiple credit unions that were members of the Federal Home Loan Bank system. He then obtained credit cards or personal lines of credit from the credit unions. Upon receipt of the credit cards or personal lines of credit, Shushpanov made purchases or cash advances up to the credit limit.

Shushpanov would then purportedly pay off the entire balance by sending worthless checks from accounts under his custody and control. Between the time that the financial institutions credited Shushpanov’s credit account balances and the worthless checks were returned for insufficient funds, he would again max-out his credit cards and personal lines of credit resulting in higher negative credit account balances.

This egregious scheme continued to perpetrate by repeatedly depositing worthless checks and making subsequent credit card or personal line of credit purchases, then filed a bankruptcy petition to avoid paying the credit unions he defrauded. The full extent of Shushpanov’s crimes is still unknown, but it is clear that his actions caused significant financial harm to his victims.

As part of the plea agreement, Shushpanov has agreed to forfeit $303,093.26, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct. This amount represents a small fraction of the total harm caused by Shushpanov’s actions, but it is a step in the right direction towards making amends.

The investigation into Shushpanov’s crimes was a collaborative effort between the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Office of the United States Trustee for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, also provided substantial investigative assistance.

Shushpanov faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

The people of Tampa can rest a little easier knowing that justice is being served. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions and the devastating consequences of bank fraud.