09/30/2025

Attorney General Bonta Announces 72 Felony Convictions in Organized Criminal Postal Theft and Bank Fraud Scheme

State of California Department of Justice

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the felony convictions of 72 individuals involved in a widespread mail theft and postal fraud operation that resulted in the theft of nearly $6 million from hundreds of people. The defendants — who operated out of multiple counties across California, including Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County — allegedly altered stolen checks, deposited them into bank accounts, then quickly withdrew money from ATMs before the banks discovered the checks were forged. Following a complex multi-jurisdictional investigation — led by the United States Postal Investigation Services Mail Theft/Violent Crimes Team, with assistance from the California Department of Justice’s E-Crimes Unit, and local law enforcement — the defendants were indicted by a grand jury on charges of conspiracy to commit grand theft by false pretenses, forgery, and grand theft, with an aggravated white collar crime allegation. Of the 72 defendants who obtained felony convictions, 25 pled to prison sentences. Depending on the level of culpability and other sentencing factors, sentences range from between 16 months to eight years in prison.

“The California Department of Justice will not stand idly by when Californians are victimized by organized criminal fraud: Today’s announcement of 72 felony convictions is proof that we will hold fraudsters accountable,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I am thankful to our local and federal law enforcement partners for their work in this investigation. The California Department of Justice will continue to use every tool in our toolbox to tackle organized crime and fraud.”