PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A calculated scheme to defraud banks across New England, preying on the desperation of the homeless, has landed an Atlanta man in federal prison. Michael Williams, 26, was sentenced today to 41 months behind bars after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The operation involved recruiting vulnerable individuals to cash hundreds of thousands of dollars in bogus checks, leaving financial institutions holding the bag and exploiting those with nowhere else to turn.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office detailed how, between October 2018 and February 2021, numerous homeless individuals were apprehended attempting to cash counterfeit business checks at banks throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maine. These individuals consistently reported being approached in Providence by men – including Williams – offering them a paltry $100 to cash checks ranging from $2,000 upwards. Williams and his associates would then create the counterfeit checks, drive the individuals to banks, and pocket the majority of the fraudulent funds.
The callousness of the scheme reached a new low on February 5, 2021. Williams and an accomplice not only recruited a homeless man to cash a check but threatened him with physical harm if he didn’t hand over the entire proceeds. The man, while inside the Providence bank, discreetly alerted authorities to the vehicle containing his exploiters. Providence Police quickly located the vehicle, arrested Williams, and seized $12,000 in cash.
A subsequent search of a Providence residence used by Williams revealed a full counterfeit check operation. Investigators found a computer loaded with check-designing software, a printer, blank check stock, an envelope stuffed with stolen checks, and another $5,000 in cash. The investigation determined that Williams and his crew attempted to cash a staggering $677,687 worth of counterfeit checks, resulting in actual losses of approximately $480,000 to financial institutions across the region.
“This defendant’s actions in this case resulted in substantial losses, but equally if not more importantly, his actions managed to victimize some of society’s most vulnerable in an effort to line his pockets,” stated U.S. Attorney Cunha. “Recruiting them to take the risk for his benefit is reprehensible.” Chief U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., ordered Williams to pay restitution in the amount of $480,000, in addition to the 41-month prison sentence and 3 years of supervised release.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker and investigated by the United States Secret Service, with assistance from the Providence and Medway, MA, Police Departments. This investigation serves as a stark reminder of the lengths criminals will go to exploit those most in need, and the dedication of law enforcement to bringing them to justice.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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