A New York woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury on numerous felonies for a year-long crime spree that began in State College.
According to a Department of Justice news release, Njeri Bowen, 26 of New York, embarked on a identity theft spree that started at the PNC Bank branch in downtown State College.
By the time she had finished, Bowen had allegedly stolen nearly $138,000 from bank accounts in states up and down the East Coast.
Bowen and a cast of unnamed co-conspirators were reportedly able to obtain the names and personal information of nearly 30 PNC Bank customers from eight states. Though the news release states the operation was primarily run out of New York, Bowen reportedly traveled to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, Georgia, West Virginia and Alabama on her identity theft spree.
In each state, Bowen was reportedly able to pose as the bank account holder, fooling bank staff into allowing her to make large withdrawals from the more than 25 accounts compromised through the alleged scheme. Bowen reportedly withdrew between $4,500 and $6,500 in cash at each stop along her trips.
Between April 2013 and April 2014, State College was the site of Bowen’s alleged fraud on two separate occasions. She was allegedly able to deceive both the College Avenue and South Atherton Street PNC branches, withdrawing a total of $9,000 from the accounts of two different State College residents.
Bowen was arrested after a joint investigation involving the Pennsylvania State Police, Maryland State Police and the FBI. She has been charged with felony bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to the news release, aggravated identify theft carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison. Bank fraud has a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, plus probation and a hefty fine.
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