An alleged scheme to wash and alter checks stolen from United States Postal Service collection boxes in the Philadelphia region last year has left three men facing federal charges.
Naod Tsegay, 22, of Collingdale, Delaware County; Fode Bangoura, 20, of Philadelphia; and Zyier Williams, 19, of Philadelphia, attempted to steal $200,000 by altering dozens of stolen personal and business checks during the months-long scheme, U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero said Monday.
The three men allegedly recruited bank account and debit card information from people and used that information. After stealing checks, they changed the payee information and increased the amounts by thousands of dollars, prosecutors said. Tsegay allegedly then deposited the checks into the recruited bank accounts and withdrew – or attempted to withdraw – the money.