Fairbanks man sentenced to 78 months for bank fraud and identity theft schemes

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - A Fairbanks man was sentenced to 78-months of imprisonment and ordered to pay at least $ 100 thousand dollars in restitution for defrauding banks and other victims.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Alaska, 26-year-old Jared Wilkes Post and a co-conspirator committed bank fraud and identity theft, among other charges.

From 2017 to 2021, Post contacted individuals he called “Plays” on social media and convinced them to share banking information under the false pretense Post needed to deposit a legitimate check into the “Plays” account. Post would then offer the “Play” a portion of the deposited check in return for use of their bank account. Once the check was deposited into the account, Post withdraw and transferred funds electronically or directed the “Play” to transfer funds to him via Cash App or Western Union.

These checks Post and his co-conspirator deposited were stolen and fraudulently altered. Funds were always withdrawn before a bank could flag the checks as fraudulent. Once the cash was withdrawn, the victim whose check was stolen was left to pay additional overdraft fees.

Post and his co-conspirator discussed stealing checks from elderly victims whom they viewed as susceptible to scams.

“Motivated by greed, the defendant and his co-conspirator operated a sophisticated check fraud scheme, targeting victims they perceived as vulnerable,” said Special Agent in Charge Antony Jung of the FBI Anchorage Field Office.

“Elder abuse and financial fraud targeted at seniors is a serious crime against some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker, District of Alaska.

“Today’s sentence sends a strong message that fraudulent conduct on this scale will be met with serious consequences,” continued Tucker. “Predators who target older citizens for fraud and financial scams are especially abhorrent and my office will continue to take aggressive action, pursuing all legal means to bring these criminals to justice.”

Anyone who believes they may be a victim of this scheme is encouraged to contact the FBI Anchorage Field Office at 907-276-4441.

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