PROVIDENCE, RI – A brazen check fraud scheme targeting Rhode Island banks has landed Maximillian Mwah, 39, of Providence, with a 41-month federal prison sentence. Mwah, a citizen of Liberia, admitted to his role in creating and depositing counterfeit checks drawn on the accounts of individuals and businesses, including unsuspecting local law firms. The operation relied on recruiting individuals willing to deposit the fraudulent checks and quickly withdraw the ill-gotten gains before the fraud was detected.
Federal prosecutors detailed how Mwah frequently communicated with the ringleader of the operation, and other conspirators, via Facebook Messenger to coordinate the fraudulent activity. The scheme wasn’t a one-off; it involved the repeated creation and cashing of counterfeit checks, draining funds from multiple accounts. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island, led by Zachary A. Cunha, brought the case, highlighting the growing sophistication of these types of financial crimes.
Mwah pleaded guilty on December 20, 2022, to both conspiracy to commit bank fraud and the charge of bank fraud itself. U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. handed down the 41-month sentence today, followed by a three-year term of federal supervised release. The court also ordered Mwah to pay restitution totaling $8,404.24 to the banks victimized by the scheme – a small fraction of the likely total losses, investigators believe.
The investigation, a multi-agency effort, was spearheaded by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with crucial assistance from the FBI, United States Secret Service, ATF, Rhode Island State Police, Providence Police Department, and Delaware State Police. The breadth of the investigation suggests a potentially wider network of individuals involved in similar fraudulent activities across state lines. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ly T. Chin prosecuted the case.
Adding another layer to the case, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged an immigration detainer against Mwah, meaning he will likely face deportation back to Liberia following his prison term. This move underscores the federal government’s commitment to not only prosecuting financial crimes but also addressing immigration violations.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of financial institutions to increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes. Law enforcement officials are warning banks and individuals to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately. The investigation remains open, and authorities haven’t ruled out the possibility of additional arrests and charges related to this ongoing fraud operation.
Related Federal Cases
- Maximilian Mwah, Check Fraud, Providence RI, 2022 · New York
- Richard Koboi, Bank Fraud, Providence RI, 2022 · Michigan
- Isha-Lee Savage, Bank Fraud, Providence RI, 2023 · Delaware
- Savonnah Briggs, Bank Fraud, Providence RI, 2023 · Delaware
- Savonnah Briggs, Bank Fraud Conspiracy, Rhode Island 2023 · New York
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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