“This indictment captures an alleged conspiracy that stretched from a construction company to the check cashing business that generated its $40 million unreported payroll,” said District Attorney Bragg. “NYSIF provides an important service in a city where construction is never-ending, and fraud impacts its ability to make injured workers whole. My Office’s Rackets Bureau followed the money, working with numerous enforcement partners here and in New Jersey, to put an end to this alleged scheme.”

“Using more than two dozen stolen checks, Alfredo Mateo depleted the bank accounts these New Yorkers built over the course of decades of hard work,” said District Attorney Bragg. “While both victims have sadly passed away, we were determined to hold Mateo accountable for this disturbing fraud. Alongside our investigative partners, we will remain vigilant in protecting older New Yorkers’ hard-earned savings, including those who dedicated their lives to teaching young people.” 

“Anthony Johnson and Destiny Anderson intercepted mail to steal checks and credit cards from hardworking Manhattanites for their own greed,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Postal workers are expected to provide Americans with reliable mail service, and these defendants jeopardized that. We will hold accountable those who take advantage of their public positions to steal from others.” 

“As the leader of the ‘Grinchsters’, Julian Pomales specifically sought out and targeted intoxicated New Yorkers enjoying our borough’s vibrant nightlife,” said District Attorney Bragg. “As illustrated by the variety of cases brought by my Office’s Financial Frauds, Major Economic Crimes, and Cyber Crime Bureaus, identity theft affects New Yorkers of all walks of life. It is one of the most common crimes we see, targeting anyone with a bank account and, increasingly, with a cell phone. I urge New Yorkers to stay vigilant by using strong passwords, monitoring their accounts and reporting suspicious activity. We are here to help: call us at 212-335-8900 if you are a Manhattanite who has been a victim of identity theft or other fraud.”

“As alleged, using aliases and forged passports supposedly issued by four different countries, Nfamoussa Sylla orchestrated a check fraud scheme that netted him more than $100,000,” said District Attorney Bragg. “This investigation is ongoing. This office’s strong tradition of economic crime investigations and prosecutions spans from identity theft to public corruption to counterterrorism and beyond. We will hold accountable those who commit fraud for personal gain.”