Disclosure: State of Alabama-based writer. This article is a work from cited sources for informational purposes and is used with permission. No affiliate links are included.
(Alabama)- According to the Northern District of Alabama, on September 12, 2024, an Alabama man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his involvement in operating a Telegram channel that facilitated the sale of stolen and fraudulent checks worth millions of dollars.
The individual, identified as 25-year-old Mekhi Diwone Harris, pleaded guilty in April 2024 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. U.S. District Judge Madeline Haikala handed down a 120-month prison sentence and ordered Harris to forfeit $160,000 in illegally obtained funds.
“Check fraud is a growing national problem,” said U.S. Attorney Escalona. “Channels like the one operated by the defendant serve as a hub for scammers to acquire stolen financial instruments. Thanks to the collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama and law enforcement, we successfully brought the administrator of this fraudulent network to justice.”