TALLAHASSEE, FL – A brazen ATM fraud scheme targeting dozens of Tallahassee-area bank customers has landed two men in federal prison. Isaleb Anofils, 32, of Vero Beach, Florida, and Donyell Garland, 32, of Tallahassee, each received 48-month sentences after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, multiple counts of bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
The duo operated between January 1, 2018, and April 9, 2018, systematically draining accounts through 285 fraudulent ATM transactions. They didn’t rely on brute force or stolen cards; Anofils and Garland leveraged technology to steal the identities of 47 different banking customers, then used that information to access their funds. The total haul – or attempted haul – exceeded $151,000.
According to court documents, the operation hinged on a combination of cell phone spoofing apps and various websites used to gather Personally Identifiable Information (PII). This PII was then weaponized, allowing the pair to impersonate victims and authorize the unauthorized ATM withdrawals. Acting U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody emphasized the growing threat posed by such schemes, stating, “As our citizens become more reliant on web-based banking, it is paramount that our financial institutions are not defrauded and their customers’ personal identifiable information is secure.”
Law enforcement moved quickly to dismantle the operation. “These criminals were arrested within weeks of the commencement of their crime spree,” Coody added, “thereby safeguarding the personal identifying information and assets of countless other victims.” Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil praised the collaborative effort, noting, “The collaborative and efficient effort between our agencies has again resulted in the arrest and conviction of those preying on innocent and hardworking citizens.”
The Secret Service, leading the investigation alongside the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, highlighted the increasing sophistication of financial crimes. Resident Agent in Charge Seth Reister stated, “This successful investigation…stands as a testament to the high level of competence…in law enforcement.” Reister also acknowledged the need for continued innovation in tackling emerging technology crimes.
Beyond the prison sentences, both Anofils and Garland will face 5 years of supervised release and have been ordered to pay restitution to their victims. Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen prosecuted the case. The sentences serve as a stark reminder that even technologically sophisticated crimes targeting financial institutions will be met with a swift and decisive response from federal, state, and local authorities.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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