Gang Members Rip Off Post Offices, Banks for Hundreds of Thousands: Prosecutor

More than 30 suspected members of the Bloods gang allegedly tried to rip off post offices and banks across Rockland County the old fashioned way -- by writing bogus checks and money orders.

Reputed members of the street crew allegedly stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in the scheme.

According to prosecutors, suspects allegedly bought postal service money orders for $2 or $3 and then simply changed the amount to $800 or $1,000. Investigators said they would deposit the altered money orders at ATM machines or cash them at TD, Chase, Citi and other banks where they had set up short term accounts. By the time the banks caught up with the scheme, police said the money was gone.

Rockland County District Attorney Tom Zugibe said these kinds of alleged scams "threaten the integrity of our banking system and are often a gateway to further criminality.”

Postal inspectors, Homeland Security Investigators and Rockland County Sheriff's officers made the arrests early Wednesday.

Officials say this scam in Rockland County is an example of countless low-tech scams using post office money orders nationwide that cost banks millions.

Many of the suspects were set to appear in courts in Ramapo and Clarkstown in connection with the bank fraud counts later Wednesday.

Fourteen financial institutions were targeted, including Wells Fargo, Sterling National Bank (formerly Provident), First Niagara, HSBC, People’s United, Bank of America, Capital One, JP Morgan Chase, Key Bank, M & T Bank, Trustco Bank, and American Express among the others. 

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