There was a major cybercrime takedown, as authorities busted alleged thieves who allegedly used social media to fuel a counterfeit check-cashing scheme. NY1's Clodagh McGowan filed the following report.
Gang activity is moving into cyberspace.
Authorities say they busted a big check-cashing scam built around social media posts.
"We've taken these cases around the city before, in Brooklyn before. But never have we seen this much money pass, and these many people involved in it," said NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce.
Thirty-nine people were charged in the scheme, which allegedly stole more than $1 million.
Two of the suspects worked at branches of a check-cashing service on Staten Island. They allegedly used smartphones to photograph real checks, to steal valid bank-account and check-routing numbers.
"So using the stolen information, fake checks are created," said Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance.
The scammers allegedly posted enticing photos with captions like "Get Money and Enjoy Life" on social media, all to recruit young people into sharing their bank account information in return for the promise of money.
Investigators say the scammers deposited the fake checks in those accounts at these and other bank branches across the city, and then withdrew the money once the checks cleared.
"It's attractive to see your friends posting pictures holding piles of money, lounging in sports cars, kicking back in the hot tub. And of course, kids want to do that too. But unfortunately, the consequences for doing that can be serious, including going to jail," Vance said.
The defendants were hit with charges ranging from grand larceny to enterprise corruption
Thirteen of the 39 suspects allegedly belong to a Staten Island branch of the Bloods gang.
The Manhattan DA's office is seeking more than $1 million in cash from the suspects and seizure of the luxury cars featured in the Instagram posts.
Authorities say the alleged fraud is an example of a spreading scam known as "debit card cracking."
As for the people recruited on Instagram to give up account information, they have not been charged, but the DA's office calls them "complicit" and says the investigation in continuing.