Schemes, Scams, Frauds.

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Bank Examiner Scam - Fake Banking Officials - Teller Trap Fraud

Bank Examiner

You get a call or a visit from an official-looking or sounding "bank examiner" or investigator who may even have official papers to show you as verification. They indicate that a bank employee is suspected of theft or misappropriation and he needs to see how they will react when a customer removes a substantial amount from their account.

They ask you to remove a set amount from a specific teller or station, then meet them afterwards at a nearby location. While stressing that secrecy is a must, they give you an official receipt for your money which is to be taken in for examination and the recording of serial numbers so that it can be used as marked money.

You are assured that it will be returned to you in a few days after the apprehension of the dishonest employee. They then indicate their thanks for your cooperation and say there may even be a small reward after the investigation is over. You experience the excitement of playing detective and being "in" on something official, almost like working with the police on an investigation.

Some bank examiner cons have been known to approach people leaving a shopping center and asking, as part of a survey, how they paid for their purchases. If cash was used, other cons follow the potential victims home. Then, posing as law enforcement officers, accuse you of using counterfeit money followed by the story that your account has been tampered with by a dishonest teller.

This scheme depends on victims remaining passive and not asserting themselves enough to ask questions and insist on clear answers.

Con artists control their victims by frightening them—saying they are losing money to a dishonest teller, and then offering them a "solution" by promising to replace the lost money. By moving quickly through this process, they can often keep their potential victims so distracted that they will be unable to think clearly enough to see just how absurd a scheme this is. Some victims have reported that they felt almost hypnotized as they became more and more involved.

One bank examiner con in Florida who was arrested and charged with numerous counts of Impersonating A Police Officer and Fraudulent Activity reference to Bank Examiner Scams had been using the names, Detective Davis and Richardson.

Posing an officer of The State Attorney's and Sheriff's Offices and would target victims claiming there was fraudulent activity by the bank against the victims' accounts.

He would go the victims' home, obtain their ATM cards, checkbooks and PIN numbers as evidence against the bank employee that was allegedly suspect. He would then cash the stolen checks and use the ATM cards to obtain cash and merchandise at retail establishments.

Another "examiner", when captured, had in his possession a "U.S. Agent" badge, maps, phone lists, binoculars, a cell phone, handkerchiefs and other paraphernalia used in his trade.

Though able to work this scam alone, cons will often team up to perform various roles in the play. One suspect, posing as a police officer, would call the victims from a payphone and tell them that their money stored at home and at the bank were counterfeit.

The victims were convinced to withdraw all their funds ( $80,000 in one case ) from the bank and meet with the police officer and turn over the bad money when the police officer produced identification.

Investigation of this team of scam artists revealed that one was the telephone man, another posed as the police officer or bank examiner and a third would act as security and conduct surveillance at the bank during the withdrawal process.

False Statements

Newport VA -

According to police, on Friday May 14, 2004 an elderly Newport News woman was approached at her home by two well dressed individuals. The two, a man and a woman, claimed to be law enforcement personal and displayed a silver badge.

Officials say the pair were in possession of the victim's bank statement and proceeded to ask for her help, saying they needed her to withdraw in excess of $10,000 from her bank accounts and give them the money to bait an alleged crooked bank teller.

Police stress that they will never ask individuals to withdraw their own money to assist in an investigation.

Officials are looking for both suspects. One, a black male, is described as 5'3" to 5'7" tall, with a small build, a medium dark complexion and slicked-back short hair. He is thought to be in his 40's. The suspect was well dressed, drove a dark colored car and claimed to be a detective.

The second suspect, a black female, is described as 5'10" to 6' tall, with a medium to heavy build. She may be pregnant. She has a medium complexion, and wore a tan flowered dress and sandals. She claimed to be a Sheriff's Deputy.

Photo of Scammer

Bank Auditor Scam

06/13/04 - Ohio - A 73-year-old Chillicothe woman lost $7,200 to a scam artist Monday, according to police reports.

The victim was called by a man claiming to be an auditor from a local bank. The caller told the victim he needed $4,800 in cash from her.

She withdrew the money and met the man near the Central Center shopping complex. He called back about 30 minutes later and told her he would need another $2,400, which she also gave him.

The man is described as a white male between 5 feet, 6 inches tall and 5 feet, 8 inches tall. There are no suspects at this time.

Bank Examiner Scammers Photos and modus operandi.

Fake Police Officers Investigating Banks Scam - article

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