When a person is charged with a crime, it can be an overwhelming experience regardless of guilt. Legal counsel can be very beneficial to the accused. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help a defendant navigate the legal system and determine the best defense for charges filed. Recently, a 24-year-old Pennsylvania man is becoming familiar with the legal system after being arrested for theft.
The man is accused of using the social media site Facebook to run a money fraud scam. In his alleged scam, he is accused of posting pictures of money to lure participants into his scheme. Authorities say the participants provided him with their ATM card and PIN numbers from Citizens Bank in return for a small amount of cash. He allegedly used the ATM cards to deposit bad checks, make withdrawals and to purchase items at various stores. The account holders would then report their cards as lost or stolen.
The man allegedly obtained $50,000 over a period of five months before Citizens Bank detected the scam. He has been charged with two counts of bank fraud. He has also been charged with 32 counts of aggravated identity theft.
An experienced criminal defense attorney in Pennsylvania can review all arrest records and evidence of the case in order to form the best defense. The arrest and theft charges can begin to immediately affect the defendant’s life. They may also impact his future employment, rental contracts and school applications. Legal counsel will not only work on a defense to aid the defendant’s present consequences but also one that will be the best outcome for his future.
Source: bizjournals.com, “Philadelphia man accused of using Facebook to steal from banks“, Jeff Blumenthal, Dec. 22, 2016
