Ring Leader Jeremy Fraticelli and Co-Conspirators Posed as Bank Employees to Obtain Personal Information, then Drained Accounts
HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday, along with the Pennsylvania State Police, announced charges against 24 people regarding a theft scheme that defrauded central Pennsylvania financial institutions and their customers of more than $3 million.
Jeremy Antuan Boria Fraticelli allegedly steered the organization, which targeted people who kept funds at financial institutions in Cumberland, Dauphin, and York counties.
Fraticelli, 22, of York, and the 23 co-conspirators are charged with corrupt organizations, identity theft, access device fraud, and related offenses.
“This criminal enterprise ruthlessly deceived hard-working Pennsylvanians and violated their sense of security by stealing from bank accounts — to the tune of more than three million dollars,” Attorney General Sunday said. “Thanks to a collaborative, comprehensive investigation with the Pennsylvania State Police, we were able to identify the bad actors and their methods in this widespread scheme. We also thank the financial institutions for their full cooperation in the investigation.”
“This case highlights the lengths criminals will go to exploit innocent people for financial gain,” said Colonel Christopher Paris, Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner. “The Pennsylvania State Police is committed to working with our partners to identify and dismantle these fraudulent operations, ensuring those responsible are held accountable. We will continue to pursue those who engage in identity theft and financial fraud to protect the security of Pennsylvanians.”
The investigation is ongoing.
Fraticelli and the co-conspirators allegedly tricked customers into giving their private banking information by impersonating customer service representatives of financial institutions. The defendants used that stolen information to gain access to the victims’ accounts and transferred the money into funnel accounts.
The members of the organization withdrew the funds and split the profits.
Fraticelli was one of six higher ups in the organization arrested in October, along with Kermith Roldan-Lopez, 39; Juan Woodard Jr., 23; Tahire Reid, 26; Daniel Casiano, 22; Shawn Chance, 27 — all of York. Additional arrests of the remaining 18 co-conspirators are ongoing.
The cases are being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Kayla Bolan and Kelsey Ashworth. Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
# # #
