At an Atlanta area Regions Bank, officers responded to a suspicious check deposit. What they uncovered was a Facebook stranger, a fake $5,000 check, and a woman about to take the fall. >> She wanted to deposit in her account. And that's what I did for her. And then she said that she that maybe it would have that she maybe wanted to do it in the Now card. And then she I told her that if it's in the checking account, she can't transfer it to the Now card if she would like. >> Once it clears, right? >> Yeah, correct. Mhm. >> So >> And then she said that's fine. And she just left. >> Okay. And is that her right over there? >> Yes. >> Okay. When she came in here today, she worked with you at all today or what was >> No, I haven't seen her since then. >> Okay. Awesome. She just came in yesterday, just gave you the check. It seemed to clear because the account numbers and everything matched up with that. >> Yeah. >> Um no problem yesterday at all, correct? Okay. All right. This was Do you mind if I use your phone quick? I just need to talk to you about him and what's going on today with your Sundial or Now card? >> My Now card When I I just came up here today cuz I have money on my I transferred money on my Now card. And I asked if if there was a way if I can take it take the money off my Now card. >> Got you. So you're trying to transfer it back into your checking or just cash? >> I can't turn I can't transfer into my checking. That's why I was asking, can I take it out in cash? >> How much money did Was this yesterday you transferred money into it? >> Into what? >> Into your account to Yeah. >> Into my Now card? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. How much money was it? >> In my Now card is two two bands in my Now card. >> Okay. How much was on it this morning? >> This morning? >> Yeah. >> Well, my Now card? >> Mhm. >> It was just I can show you. It's still on there on my account. >> Okay. When did you come in the bank? You came in the bank yesterday, correct? Tell me about that. >> I'm being honest cuz I'm honest. >> Okay. >> Came in here and I spoke to him. >> That man right over there? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> a deposit. I made Yeah, I made a deposit to go on my Regions account. >> Got you. >> It was like five like five bands. >> Okay. >> And that was it. That's what I needed. >> Okay. And was it a was it a check or cash? >> It was a check. >> Okay, what was the check? >> It was like a settlement loan check. >> A settlement loan check? Did what Who did the check come from? >> It I had It just came from us It was a settlement loan I had got it. >> What settlement loan like What do you mean by settlement like you were in an accident or you sued someone civilly? >> Yeah, like that I guess. >> Okay. Did the check come from a law firm? >> What? >> Cuz normally with settlements will come from a law firm law firm or this or that certain company. Did you Do you remember who the check was from? >> No. >> How did you come about getting the check? >> I don't know. Okay, cuz I I can't lie. So I don't I don't want to be honest. I don't know if I'm going to get somebody in trouble or not. >> Okay. >> So it's like I got it from somebody. >> This is where the case takes a turn because the person behind the check may have been using her as the middle man. >> You got what from somebody the check? >> Yeah. >> Who did you get it from? >> Um I don't know his name. I just know his Facebook name. >> You know his Facebook name? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Julio Santana. >> And why did Why would he be giving you a check? >> He He had told me that he had a check that wanted me to deposit it. >> Okay. >> But I didn't think it was I just thought it was just a regular check and thing and none of it. >> So why would he want you to deposit it? >> I don't know. I don't know. >> And you don't know this guy? Did you meet with him in person? >> No, I met with him on Facebook but in person, yeah. >> Oh, in person where did you meet him in person at? >> Yesterday there. >> Over there? Where like a CVS or >> Like over at CVS. >> Got you. So just right next door. Okay. And that was yesterday around what time? >> Like 11:30. >> So before you came to the bank? >> Yeah. >> What did he look like? >> He got tattoos all over >> White male black male? >> Black male. He was But he's not black. He's like >> Like light skin? >> Yeah, like caramel. >> Okay. >> He had tattoos >> All on his neck? >> Mhm. And his body. Um >> Like on his arms like me, full sleeves or >> Yeah. Um the car he was in I don't know if it was a It looked like a Charger, but it's it's not a Charger. >> What color was it? >> It was like like beige >> [music] >> Kind of like >> It was kind of a >> Trying to find something. So kind of like a tan beige color. Okay. So you meet with him and then what happens? >> He told me to um He said I can deposit come here and deposit a check. When I came here, I deposited and then he was telling me that he was telling me to check my account. But it said it was pending. >> The check? >> He said check my account. Yeah, it was pending. And that's all I could do until the next morning. >> Now, what was the agreement with him? >> He wanted to um he wanted to get half. I don't know if he was trying to get half or he was trying to see if he wanted to take all of it. But we didn't have we didn't discuss it cuz he wanted to discuss it then. >> So prior to meeting [clears throat] him meeting with him over there, what was the conversation? How do you How did you get involved with this guy? Have you known him for a while or >> No, I just know him from Facebook. >> From Facebook? Just randomly text you? How long ago was that? >> Like last week. >> Last week? And what what did the conversation consist of? >> He was saying that um he wanted he can I come deposit a check and he asked me did I have a bank and I said I have Regions and then he said okay, that's good and then he asked could he um He was asking for my address and my name. >> Mhm. >> And then like he wanted to meet up yesterday. He told me we met up over here then he wanted me to come here and deposit a check and >> Okay. And there was no agreement as far as >> want to discuss it over phone. He kept saying he wanted to discuss it in person. [laughter] >> Then you have Have you seen him yet today? Okay. Now, has any of that money from your account gone anywhere else? >> Um no. I mean, just uh my bank account, that's it. >> Okay. This may have been the biggest mistake in the entire case, handing over account access to someone she barely knew. >> Nothing worth >> spending the money, no cash app transactions. >> No. >> No. Okay. Now, in your records later, there's $2,600, that $5,316.79 you deposited today, $2,600 was removed from that account. >> What if he What if he had my login? What if I gave him my login? >> Did you? >> Yeah, over the phone. Cuz I I didn't know what he was going to do. >> Okay. So, you don't know this guy at all. >> No, I just know him from Facebook. >> You're saying he contacted you to get you to deposit a check, and there was no agreement. He wasn't agreeing to give you >> He wouldn't agree He wouldn't agree in person, not over the phone. >> Okay. Did Was there some sort of an unspoken understanding that if you cash this, you were going to benefit from it? >> Hm? Yes. >> Okay. So, you were going to get money from this. >> That's what he told me. >> So, the check, do you remember where the check came from? Not from him, but do you remember seeing where the check was addressed from? >> Oh, he can't He can't >> No, he can. I'm just asking you. >> Oh, it was just for the amount. >> Okay. Were you aware the check was fraudulent? >> He told me it was a seller account. >> Well, the issue that we're running into here, right, that's a fraudulent check. And you cashed a fraudulent check, which is illegal. Okay. So, that's where we're at right now. So, if you give me any information that maybe you're not giving me that will help yourself out, and maybe more information on this guy. Unless you don't have any information on this guy. >> All I know is his Facebook name. I promised you I All I know is his Facebook name. >> Fredo Santana, correct? >> My phone just went dead. He was calling my number, but I >> That's just through Facebook audio. You don't have his actual number. >> His actual number I don't know. He Somebody was calling me twice today after he called me, but my phone is dead. I can't prove that number, but I don't have a charger, but that is his Facebook name. And it's a picture of him. He's standing in front of a silver car with a white shirt on with some jeans. >> And he's You don't know an address for him or anything, but his Facebook picture is he's standing [music] You're saying he's standing in front of a car? >> car with a white >> And he's a light-skinned >> Yes. >> black male? >> Yes. >> And you said he had neck tattoos, arm tattoos. >> Chubby, yeah. >> He was He was kind of chubby. About how About how tall do you think he was? >> He didn't get out the car. >> He didn't get out the car? Okay. Was there anybody else in the car with him? And what time >> I don't know if they pull up on the camera. >> It was definitely It was over >> He was parked >> at CVS and not across the street? Like on this side of CVS, correct? >> CVS parking lot. It was parked like >> Okay. And you said that was around what time? >> I got here around like 11:30. >> That was yesterday though, right? You were there Were you there before he was? >> No, he was there >> Okay, did you pull up next to him? >> No, I didn't. >> Yes. >> So, around 11:40 yesterday in the CVS parking lot. >> She keeps insisting she barely knew the man behind the check, but investigators already have enough to move forward. One fake deposit can quickly turn into felony charges once money starts moving through [music] the account. >> Take your purse off there. No. >> Okay, can I get some of them? >> Go ahead. You're fine. >> Can I lay it down? >> No. >> Put them on you. >> Put your hands together. >> No. Can you get them off my stuff? >> No. No, you're No. >> How come my stuff >> And you don't have anything else on your person, anything tucked away in your pockets or anything? Okay. Well, like I explained to you, it's the bad check that you passed and put into your account. You ever been arrested before? Okay, I'm just going to check your pockets here real quick. You don't have any pockets, right? Okay. Not right now. Go ahead and jump in here. You have a pin in your hair there. Do you mind if I just take that off real fast? Okay. Go ahead and jump in there. Take a seat. >> Phone's connected. >> What? >> That's fine. It doesn't matter. Um You don't have any other things? Cigarettes? >> No. >> No? I wouldn't hold it. >> Yeah. >> Here you go. That was her most recent withdrawal right there. Need to advise the bank. >> Yeah. >> Okay. This is the one in question. >> No, this is a different transaction in the back. One of them is for $600. That's cash right there. >> Yeah, there's no matching transactions here. So, this is a >> has got to be a different account. This is the matching transactions on the bank statement. >> Same account. >> is a different account. >> Let's see, uh This is $600. She didn't withdraw She hasn't withdrawn any cash from this from this account. >> No. Yep. >> So, the $600 Um no, the phone's going to be evidence, unfortunately. Yeah, man. I'm I'm I'm sorry. Um we'll see whatever what else whatever else I can uh I can release to you if that's what she wants to do. I'll I'll do that, okay? But yeah, the phone unfortunately no. I'm sorry. Real quick. Um if you if there's something in the purse other than the phone that we release to you if if she wants it to be really >> Do you have any idea like, you know, I mean, she's cashing a check, right? >> That's all that's all that I was aware of. >> Okay. You don't know anything about where she's getting this check or Cuz the big thing is I mean like kind of sounds like she's doing somebody's dirty work, right? So, I mean have her take the fall, right? I was just curious if you had any knowledge cuz I mean honestly we like to get the people actually put her up to it and the one who's actually gaining from it, you know? Um But she's got You guys have kids together or >> She got She's got two kids. >> Yeah, she's got two kids. You know, times are tough and I hate for I mean, we'll talk to her. I mean, she's been cooperative, but I was just curious if you had any knowledge cuz >> Yeah, I know it's kind of stupid to ask, but there's no way she can come home. >> She can come home, she's got to get booked through. I mean, it's it's a financial crimes, it's non-violent. They don't generally like to hang on to people for stuff like this, but she's got to get booked through. I mean, I mean, for real, like it'd be the bonds generally aren't set very high. If you go through a bondsman, it's like $100 straight to go, you can get out. All right? I mean, like it's 10%. It'll probably be like generally I'd see between like two and two and five. It probably won't be five. Probably 100 bucks out. But again, you go through a bondsman, you know, I mean, you put up 10% of that, it's not you Not a huge All right. Usually not that huge of a stress, so Um I I don't want to um get going into too much without with her without her, you know, saying that she wants you to know, but that's where we're at. You want to just hang out and I'll just got to count the cash and we'll go from there. Hey Layla. >> Hey. >> I'm a supervisor. Anytime there's cash involving $300 or more, they can call out the boss to do a money count. That's what I'm going to do. I'm going to make sure I count the money in front of you. Yeah, about $608. That's what my understanding. All right. We're going to count that. Are we hot? >> Yes, sir. >> This is certified money count. Here we go. 20 40 60 80 100 We have a total of $600. $608. $608. This is your money. So, we're going with you. Like I said, I'm supervisor. I'd make the money count. Make sure this is perfectly safe. >> Yes, sir. >> And we're good to go. We're going to go cold. Thank you. Take care. >> The suspect was taken into custody and charged with check fraud, attempted theft, financial identity fraud, depositing counterfeit checks, conspiracy related to financial crimes. If you enjoy this kind of content, please like and subscribe for more real-time body cam footage.