NEW YORK, NY – Two men are facing serious federal charges today after allegedly fleecing dozens of victims out of a combined $2 million in a sophisticated loan fraud scheme. YISROEL HEBER, a/k/a “Scott Heber,” 43, of Kings Point, New York, and YECHIEL MESHI-ZAHAV, 32, of Valley Stream, New York, were arrested this morning and are expected to appear before U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan.
The pair allegedly operated under the guise of legitimate lending companies – Blue Ribbon Funding, Tru Capital Funding, Fund Capital LLC (a/k/a “Fund Cap LLC”), and Ameriquest Capital – promising loans to unsuspecting victims. But instead of providing financial assistance, Heber and Meshi-Zahav are accused of draining funds directly from the victims’ bank accounts, leaving them with nothing.
“Yisroel Heber and Yechiel Meshi-Zahav allegedly brazenly siphoned funds from the bank accounts of dozens of victims after fraudulently inducing them to provide their bank details,” stated U.S. Attorney Damian Williams. “Herber and Meshi-Zahav’s victims thought they were securing loans, but instead they were robbed of large sums of cash. No matter the complexity of the scheme or size of the loss amount, this Office will relentlessly investigate fraudsters who dare to illicitly line their own pockets by victimizing others.”
The scheme, which ran from at least March 2021 through December 2021, involved convincing victims to share their bank account information under the pretense of loan processing. Once access was gained, the accused allegedly initiated unauthorized withdrawals, pocketing the stolen funds. According to authorities, the alleged fraudsters targeted a wide range of individuals, leaving a trail of financial ruin in their wake.
“These individuals allegedly garnered the trust of victims by posing as lending companies, only to turn around and steal millions from them,” said USSS Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Freaney. “This kind of fraudulent activity has a very real impact on people’s lives, and the Secret Service appreciates our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York as we work together to deliver justice for these victims.”
Both HEBER and MESHI-ZAHAV are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a crime carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. While the maximum penalty is set by law, the final sentencing will be determined by the judge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra S. Messiter is leading the prosecution of this case, handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. It’s crucial to remember that these are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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