No. >> No. >> Okay. That's literally all it was. It was just from doing that. >> On April 4th, 2025, a routine day at Seacoast Bank took a sudden turn when staff alerted officers to a potential fraud in progress. >> Hello. >> How's it going? Hey boss, they said they were having an issue with a cashier's check. >> Like that? Yeah. >> In there? Okay. >> Well, I got to let you go, bro. I'll I'll talk to you later. >> So, they closed your account or something like that? >> They closed my account. I don't have an account here, sir. >> Okay, then they just >> took the cashier's check. >> Okay. Do you have your license with you? >> They took it. >> Okay. Give me your first name and last name and your date of birth, okay? Hey, ma'am. Give me his license, Patrice. [snorts] Thank you. Where did you get the cashier's check from? >> It was mailed to me. It's for Bitcoin. >> Oh, okay. So, were you just like sold some Bitcoin and then they sent you like a cashier's check for it? >> it's like a I just invested for them, basically. >> Oh, okay. So, you're just investing the money for them? >> Yeah, and then I take like a very small cut for that fee. >> Okay. So, they're saying they have an issue with the check, I guess. I'm not sure as to exactly what the issue is. I mean, this is obviously you. What's with the They asked for a social security number, too? >> They asked for two forms of ID, yeah. >> Who is this, sir? >> I don't know. I've like I've done this a few times. They they they send uh They pay anyway. Like Zelle, Cash App, Apple Pay. >> But cashier's check, do you even know? >> check, yeah. Cashier's check is more uncommon, but I don't know why. I just Yeah, it's whatever. But I've I've never I've never even been to this bank. I don't even know about what Seacoast >> like >> Check. >> Check, okay. >> And I usually get like Bank of America or Wells Fargo or whatever that bank is. I would just go cash it and then I make the investment and then I show them and everything and we think it's legit and then that's it. And then I got this one and I seen Suncoast or not Suncoast, it's uh Seacoast. I was like what the hell is Seacoast? I looked it up and there's one all the way down here and then I just I drove down here and that's >> I don't know, there's no other Seacoast branches around here or anything. >> I got that there is no other branches. >> Okay. All right. >> I never even heard of Seacoast. I didn't even know that was >> I got you. Just you're just going to hang tight for the time being. I was just trying to figure out what's up with the check and all that stuff, so. >> Just to secure this is here. I don't know if >> It could be one of those things where the person handed you like a check with no account. >> They tried to pull something. I don't know. >> Is the the >> It's a new customer. >> The person that the check is like from is their bank account was closed, correct? >> Yeah, so their bank account was >> All right. You just want to hang tight for the time being and then I'll come back with How's it going? How's it going? How's it going? >> So So what we got is realized this check looked weird off the bat cuz it says cashier's checks and and and regular accounts don't have cashier's check. So we did some pulled this account up, couldn't pull it up. We linked it to this account, so we called this branch or this account's based out of Winter Winter Park and I called there. >> Here in Florida? >> Yeah, yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah, we're only based in Florida. So we called and talked to a senior client advisor who's the one that's actually the account the person that handles that account. She's very familiar with the whole account. She set it up. She knows them very well. Said this definitely fraud. They closed this account a year ago for fraud. Shut everything down and then this account's pulled up. So, we pulled this up, this account has been purged off our system, but when you pull it in there, it actually pulls this company. It just doesn't show as an active account anymore. Um, and honestly, I think this this guy's like oblivious. I don't think he he knows what's going on because I don't think he >> It's a possibility that cuz what he's explaining to me is that he normally gets like checks for like what for his job and stuff like that. Normally just never cashiers check before. He's like, "All right, that works, I guess." He saw that it was from C-Notes, came down all the way down here to see if he can cash it. So, I'm assuming 850. You said this account was closed like a year ago, right? >> Yeah. >> Due to fraud. >> Yeah, due to fraud. It was shut down. And so, then yeah, like I said, this just popped up today. Like we couldn't figure out how it So, we called the branch of account. Again, she's super familiar with everything. She She works with this account pretty much on a daily basis. And um, said that yeah, this is definitely fraud. But And the weird thing is is the thing that triggered it is they put cashiers checks. They must have bought cashiers check stock when they did this fraud. Um, because like a normal account like you or I or any company would have never it's going to say cashier. That's only issued by banks. So, um, that's why that was like a red flag right away. >> check doesn't look like our checks. >> Yeah, not at all. >> No, not at all. So, like we have like certain internal numbers that we use on the micro line here. The this account number is the account number that was closed and when we issue cashiers checks, we don't put account numbers for um, just security purposes. We use internal account numbers when we issue them. Um, so, they can't take out $850 from an account that was already closed. So, it's And what's concerning is that he's getting checks from different places and he could [clears throat] be part of like he I don't know if he's a victim or whatever, but he could be falling if he's getting checks from different places for >> Yeah. Yeah. So, according to him is like he manages their accounts for them and since they don't have an understanding of how Bitcoin works, I suppose. And then he gets a small fee for how much depending on how much like they make through um his like basically like a broker to some extent. Um So, let me talk with him real quick. Um >> Yeah. >> If I'm going to talk with the other officer over here, I'll go down that way. >> want to copy this? >> I can make >> Yeah, that'd be perfect. Thank you. Okay. So, who handed you that check or the cashier's check? You just received it via the mail? Okay. >> I have the package with the little mail slip on it. >> Where? >> It's in my car, the envelope. >> Okay. Yeah, we can just go ahead and grab that. You have your keys with you? Okay. So, the passenger side or something like that? >> Mhm. >> Okay. Is that your Is that your car? >> Yeah. >> Okay, I got you. >> Sadly. >> No, no, I was just I was just curious cuz I didn't know. Well, you don't have anything in the car that's going to stick me or poke me or anything? >> No. >> No? Okay. You're sure? >> That's literally all it was. It was just from knowing Matthew Morgan Oxford. >> That's me. >> That's the guy who sent you that? >> That's the guy. That's me. >> Okay. Just hop back inside for me. >> I mean, brand new like I I we've never dealt with him before. I don't know. It's just like a customer and my boss was like, "Yeah, you're going to get um he's going to ship you the cashier's check." He just said he wanted Bitcoin. >> Oh, okay. >> I I we usually use ATMs, Bitcoin ATMs. >> And yeah, I know what you're talking about. Sorry about that. Thank you. Real quick, that account Is that it? I'm trying to see. I'm not sure. This is the person who sent >> Oh, that's who sent it? I don't know. We have that person here. Um is that a signer on this account? >> Yeah, let's see. So, he was informed that he would get the cashier's check via the mail, this guy right here. And then this is how he received it from that person. That's him right there. Wait two years. If you want to just take a gander, Freddy Mendoza. >> Yeah, that's right. Jackson. Is there a way to get a photo copy of that? >> Um I guess I could, right? That's easier than doing all of this. >> Yeah, you could probably do that. >> [laughter] >> Yeah, we It's I I can't get a free copy of this guy as well. >> So that account is closed, you said, right? >> Yeah, here you go. And it was closed for fraud. It was closed by the bank for fraud. So these people probably got their account compromised. They got like 20 accounts with us. >> Mhm. >> But uh um this one was closed a year ago because I had uh someone, you know, >> So it's a possibility the person who And he he didn't This is the first time I met him. You never seen him before, nothing like that. Okay. >> And I I honestly think just from the way he's been hanging cuz most people this took forever. This took us like 25, 30 minutes to get to the bottom of this. And most times um if they're involved with the you know, the scam, you know, they they they know something's up. But he's >> Let's go on out of here. >> Yeah, he's just been like he's I mean we gave him a bottle of water and he he's been super relaxed. I don't >> Okay. >> I honestly don't think that he's >> Yeah, it could be one of those things where the person who conducted fraud on this account went through with trying to purchase Bitcoin, sending that money. >> Yeah, that's >> Which is in a closed account and >> Figured they'd get >> I'm going to ask him and see if he had any like anything like money is was sent to the Bitcoin sent to these people and this is like them paying them back for it. >> Yeah, we're pretty sure he >> Make sure he wasn't Yeah, and then this is like a fake check that they sent him. >> Yeah, could be. >> And so Excuse me, sir. Hey, with that with that account that the check you received, did you send them like any Bitcoin or anything like that [clears throat] or anything? Or is it just Yeah, like any any money to them? >> sent them any. >> So this is the way it works is like that you receive it, then you go through with like um >> Yeah, we take they like um I don't even know what the percentage is. I think it's like a 5% fee for the investment. >> Okay, is it just you that does this or is it like you >> It's for somebody, yeah. >> Okay, I got you. >> they they have leads, supposedly. And then, you know, there's people who just want to invest. I don't actually find the people myself. And then >> [clears throat] >> And then, yeah, it's like Zelle or Cash App or anything like that. And then, we do um like Bitcoin and then like Solana and like other like >> What is a crypto? >> Okay, so you haven't sent the that the person sent you that anything as of yet. >> never heard of their name, nothing. Like, it's just a like I don't I've been through this for like 15 times now. I just started a few months ago with them, but I've done quite a few now, yeah. >> You've done a couple already, but this is the first time this has happened. >> Yeah, I mean, with this guy, yeah. I don't know who this is. >> Tag tag on your car, what's up with that? Tag on the back of the same car? >> That's not the car I'm driving. >> You need to go I don't know what you're saying. Okay, the tag what tag is on there? >> I don't know. It's an old tag. >> Your old tag? To a different car? Can't do that. [laughter] You can't You have to trans You have No, you have to transfer the information like right away. You You technically you're driving an unregistered vehicle cuz the tag is like And then, on top of it, is it >> You have 30 days in the state of Florida, right? I said that is call your county at the DMV >> No, I'm pretty positive that like you have to have it like like a temp tag, your full your full good to send. >> place to And make it a loss. >> You have to you you signed title? >> No. >> You didn't sign title? >> No, I I I was I had a buddy who signed a title in the wrong spot, and it was all fake. I was screwed. So, he told me like do it at the DMV, so you don't actually have to do that. >> How have you been in contact with Hm? How have you been contacting >> I've contacted [clears throat] him through the uh >> It's through Okay, so it's your boss basically. Okay. Um do you have his number? >> I Yeah. >> Okay. >> I do. >> Do you want me to call him? >> I've been texting people like crazy. >> Okay. Yeah, who you you just been texting what? The your boss or something like that? >> No, I'm just my I'm meeting up with a friend later to go out tonight. >> Okay. This is his boss. So he's saying is that is that his cut or is that what he's using to buy Bitcoin? His Bitcoin is at $83,000. That is what he uses I mean yeah, you can buy chunks of it. Yeah, you can buy fractions of it. So this is Oh, yeah. You can use it to invest in other things which is what I understand. From what I know how it works. >> [laughter] >> Do you have your phone number? This is supposed to be his boss. Okay. Thank you. >> Oh, you got Do you got the phone number? >> For his boss. >> For this guy? >> No, so according to him he goes through with his boss. Um and then he will send the information and whatever and then he goes through with it. I don't know what it's I guess he got in contact with his guy. >> Yeah, so you know what to ask him on. >> Okay. >> Just star 67, that's my personal. >> Mhm. Thank you. >> What's that? >> Yeah, just a second. >> Yeah. >> I might front this one starting here. >> Okay. Nothing. >> Officer Nakaskas? >> Yeah. >> Yeah, okay. Uh Melissa? >> Yes. >> Uh Melissa, you're on the phone with Officer Vasquez. And uh she was arrested. >> Hi Officer. >> Hi, how's it going? >> She's she's in our fraud prevention area department. >> I'm in the fraud department with SeaCoast Bank and I just wanted to get an understanding of what we've confirmed that this is a counterfeit check that this kid is trying to cash. >> Okay. >> And um I understand you guys were trying to find out if was the signer. Is that what you guys were trying to do? >> Correct. Yeah, do we know if he's signed signed it for the company? Or whatever account it's from. >> Yeah. Is who you're you're looking to see if it's a signer. Is that correct? >> Correct, yes. >> Okay. So, no, he is not. >> Okay. >> What I'm guessing is can you tell me what type of conversation this kid is what type of story this kid is telling you? >> From my understanding >> how he got it, who he got it from? >> Yeah, so from my understanding is that he explained that he received the check via the mail from this gentleman here named Um and he usually does this through his boss, which is my other officer speaking to you right now. Um according to him, he received $850 via cashier's check um to basically purchase like Bitcoin and then invest it for this person and then he the way it works is he basically takes a 5% is the way he explained it to me. >> Yeah, he's a he's a mule. >> Hm, awesome. >> He's he's a he's involved in some type of mule activity. This is a scam. >> So >> We we actually see this all the time. I don't know if you see that in your area or not if >> It's often times, so out of curiosity, so what you're saying is that the check itself is like fraudulent or like it's not >> It's counterfeit, yeah. >> Okay. >> It's counterfeit. >> Okay. All right, this >> individual and and yeah, he's he's a mule for this activity. So, whoever his boss is is getting him to do to do the mule. >> Yeah, that's what we were like thinking of like initially. That specific account that he's trying to cash the check from has been closed for fraud for over about a year. Okay. So, check this out. Yeah, it's counterfeit is what this Melissa Rodriguez is telling me. She's part of their fraud for this uh for the bank. >> Okay. >> So, I'm going >> I tried to call the number for his boss. >> Mhm. >> The number's out of service. >> Okay. Yeah, it's >> But he's texting on WhatsApp, which means he must be on Wi-Fi and WhatsApp works off of Wi-Fi. >> Yeah, I'm so who's he's asking to see who he's texting. What's that? Yeah, he's going to see who he's texting, who he's texting, what he's I mean, the way it works is like he's in possession of the check. He's attempted to cash it. He wasn't able to cash it. My understanding is like he has knowledge of this. Does. Yeah, it's something It could be one of those things where like that I mean, the way this dude is by doing stuff like it could be one of those things where he but he's doesn't know what the [ __ ] is going on. He's just trying to cash the check basically for someone else for his boss who's basically trying to screw him or he doesn't know but yeah, he's trying to like which makes sense. This could be one of those things where he doesn't know or he doesn't know exactly what he's doing. How did you How did you meet the guy you're talking to? I think it was >> Yeah, I'm >> through WhatsApp? >> Did you just ask that? >> No, it was another officer. I'm trying to like make sure. Is it through WhatsApp or something like that or >> That's what we we contact on. I I think it's I don't know if we met on Telegram or WhatsApp, but it's one of the two, which I know is like a fishier platform cuz it's an undercover thing. >> Mhm. >> But um yeah, I had never like dabbled in those. I'm on Telegram for like groups for crypto. They make like call outs for like ones to get in on, >> [clears throat] >> but that was it. And then, I genuinely I just got done telling somebody, I don't know which one, um that I was super heavy into weed smoking the last 2 years, and I just quit. >> Mhm. >> It impaired my memory like crazy. I genuinely I don't remember anything. I don't even remember what I ate for breakfast. I just like a 2-year relationship I just went through got destroyed because of that as well. >> Okay. >> Like you name it. I just >> So, you just during that time you had made contact with this gentleman. You just don't recall when or how you made contact with >> He probably reached out to me. I don't >> So, you're just dealing with doing business with him basically. >> Yeah, I mean, I don't like I told him there's like Facebook ads for like remote jobs and stuff like that. So, it might have been that, >> So, that's the route you had gone. >> but Facebook is a local thing. You know what I mean? So, I don't think that was it cuz I doubt he's local. Might be, but I don't think that was it. He probably reached out to me some way because of my experience in crypto or something. >> So, you have like some knowledge about how it how it works basically. So, he reached out to you. Yeah, so he reached out to you to some extent possibly or you reached out to him. >> I said, it was a few months ago. I've been like through so much the last like 6 months. I can't even understand like Yeah. I I really don't know. And I don't like deal with him a lot. This is not a full-time job or anything. He hits me up like every now and then. It's like, "Oh, this person wants to make an investment." And I'm like, "Okay." >> Okay. >> Cuz it's not like a everyday thing or it's like >> Every now and then he'll he'll contact you. >> maybe. Yeah. >> Okay. >> I don't know what she said. She's someone for our operation. >> She's the one that we spoke to earlier that said that the check itself was counterfeit. >> Mhm. >> [clears throat] >> Yeah. >> Hey Melissa, sorry to bother you. Hey, the police officers police officers had a couple questions for you. Uh it's Officer Vasquez and Blomquist. >> Hi, uh this is Corporal Blomquist. Um I'm just uh we're getting close to having enough to prove knowledge. So, before we do that, I just want to confirm that the bank is willing to press charges cuz they would be the victim in this situation being that the account is closed and he'd be taking money basically directly from the bank. >> So, we are not going to have any We would not have suffered a loss in this case because the account does not exist. >> Well, I'm saying if if he succeeded in pulling the money out. >> Got it. Yeah. >> Then then you would have suffered the loss, so that would make you the victim of the attempted fraud. >> Yep. >> So, as the victim, is the bank willing to press charges? >> Yes. >> Okay. Perfect. All right, that's all I needed. >> So, how did you get the check today? >> It was in my mailbox. Well, not my mailbox. I It's I've been staying at my friend's house in the >> Okay. >> I had him ship it there. >> Okay. But you've never spoken to this person? >> No. >> And you've never met >> The dude on the >> Right. >> No, no, never talked to him, don't know his >> So, how exactly do you get your cut? Do you take off the top? >> Yeah. >> And then do you deposit the rest? >> to my boss. I I sent him I sent him a picture of the when I got it in the mail, you know, the check, I made sure everything was the same, all that >> And like >> and the money and then I and then I put it in the Bitcoin thing, and then I send it to whatever account or his wallet, crypto wallet, whatever, or the business wallet. I don't know what what I literally don't know anything else past that point. And that's it. >> Right. But obviously this does not appear to be a legal operation. >> I didn't think so, no. It's in the It's a crypto investment. It's like you giving me a grand and saying like can you put this in on black for me? >> It's a little different than that cuz there's no interaction between us for that. Only >> What do you mean? You mean because he's a mail bit? Cuz like we never met or what? >> Never met, never spoke. You've never met the boss. We can't contact him to verify anything. >> I don't know why you can't contact him now because he's not reading anything or nothing is going through on my end either. >> Because it's not >> I Yeah, I'm Yeah, I'm catching that now. >> All right. But being that you are essentially just taking money off the top and then depositing the rest >> [clears throat] >> I mean none of this seemed like something that you should stop doing at any point. >> I'm a teenager, dude. I'm not the smartest. You know what I mean? It was 50 bucks in my pocket and an investment I have to do for somebody and that fed me at the end of the day. You know what I mean? People sell drugs for a reason. People traffic for a reason. People dance on poles for a reason. Like you have to do what you got to do, you know what I mean? My stepdad's a cop. Like I I He's FWC for Collier County. He's I I I like Yeah, it's the same for him. He tells me every day. He's like, "We don't make We don't. We make 50, 60 grand a year, you know, and it's miserable, but I do it because, you know, the job is fun and it is what it is and it keeps the food on my table, but that's all it is. You know. >> Right, but that's a it's a job where he's going in and >> I know it's not a relatable thing, but yeah. >> Even even dancing on pole, it's it's a legit job that you get hired for. You have an interview. >> Well, that's most of the time it's under the table for that, too, but yeah. >> But like this it didn't occur to you that this probably isn't legal. >> I didn't care. I needed money. >> [clears throat] >> You know what I mean? I don't I don't really give a [ __ ] you know, I needed food on my table. I've been homeless for months cuz my mom kicked me out thanks to this. I got my mom scammed out of $15,000 and she kicked me out last year, at the end of last year. I've been couch surfing the past 5 months and I just finally got a car last week for $500 because the And I can't afford to register it or anything, too. >> All right. >> You know, that's the I'm not trying to you guys. This is my story, dude. I'm low. I just >> No, I'm going to need you to stand up, all right? >> They search the driver? >> Yeah. >> What is Okay, can I get like an explanation at least exactly what is going on? >> All right. >> fraudulent fraud. Let me check, man. >> It's a It's a fraudulent check? >> Yes. >> It came back fraudulent? >> Yes. And to an account that is locked >> for >> Yeah, it's been shut down for over a year. >> Over a year? >> Yes. Since March of uh '24. >> Awesome. So I just myself on that one. >> Very cool. >> Love that for myself. I'll just push myself even lower in life right now. >> But it's a mistake. All right. Do you have anything on you that you're not supposed to have? >> A wallet and keys. >> That's it? >> Should be. >> All right. Nothing that's going to cut poker broad me? >> No. >> All right. Where are these pills? >> Right here. >> Are they real? >> Yeah. >> Yeah, there's a lot of them. Anything jewelry other than You have the watch, couple rings and the earrings? >> Yep. >> All right. >> Yeah. >> I'm not going to touch you. >> Yeah. Now you got some stains. >> And some stuff. >> You might have to try to assist forward a little bit. It's double locked, all right? >> How do people do this in the movies? Ow. >> You got to like sit up straight to some extent and then just lower your hands as much as you can. >> I I'm there on the track. >> Yeah, it's like angle that. You watch out watch your knees real quick. I'm just going to head you. >> He was charged [music] with fraud for uttering a false instrument. This story shows how easily someone can get caught up in a scam without realizing it. Quick action by bank staff and officers prevented a potential loss and exposed the counterfeit check. It's a reminder to always verify financial transactions and stay alert to suspicious activity. What's [music] on your mind, partner? Saddle up in the comments below and don't forget to tip your hat with a like and subscribe.