Police Say Man Recruited More Than 100 Members to Steal Funds From Their Credit Union

Police believe some members were complicit account holders who received a finder's fee for the suspect to exploit other members' accounts.

By Peter Strozniak | April 08, 2024 at 04:00 PM Credit/Adobe Stock

California police said a Fresno man recruited more than 100 credit union members to gain access to their accounts and deposited over 150 forged checks, causing more than $250,000 in losses.

Fresno Police Department Financial Crimes Unit reported last month that three credit unions, possibly more, have been victimized by the fraudulent scheme. Because the investigation is ongoing, police declined to identify the credit unions that have been affected. There are eight credit unions based in Fresno, according to the NCUA.

The police investigation led to the arrest of suspect 40-year-old Tyrell Marquis McKenzie of Fresno. After securing a search warrant for McKenzie's apartment, police seized numerous identification cards, Social Security cards, completed checks, boxes of various blank check stock, computers, printing equipment and other electronic devices.

Police said the credit unions were targeted by McKenzie because of their policies regarding the availability of check deposits and amounts allowed to transfer via money transfer apps such as CashApp and ApplePay prior to a check's authenticity being verified.

McKenzie allegedly utilized social media apps to solicit account holders to give up their card and PINs for a cut of the stolen funds, according to police investigators. What's more, police believe there were other complicit account holders who received a finder's fee for sending McKenzie members' accounts to exploit.

Police said McKenzie managed to hide his identity while making ATM deposits by wearing a balaclava type black knit mask with the eye portion showing, along with a black hooded sweatshirt to conceal his hair and other features.

Police began investigating reports of fraudulent checks that were being deposited at Fresno credit unions' ATMs in January.

The Fresno County District Attorney's office charged McKenzie with check fraud, theft by false pretenses and identity theft. He was released from police custody after posting bond.