PHILADELPHIA, PA — Federal authorities have charged Kalien Frazier, a 29-year-old resident of Oakland, California, with an elaborate scheme involving wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, leveraging his position within a bank to illegally profit from customer information.
Announced by U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero, the indictment handed down on Tuesday accuses Frazier of six counts of wire fraud alongside one count of aggravated identity theft. It is alleged that between March 30, 2022, and August 30, 2023, Frazier exploited his role as a customer service representative at an FDIC-insured bank to access and misappropriate sensitive customer data.
Prosecutors detail that Frazier, under the guise of fulfilling customer service duties, solicited account details, debit card numbers, CVV codes, and personal identification information from clients, often without any legitimate need for such data during the interactions. The indictment further alleges that Frazier then marketed this stolen information within certain group chats, claiming he could provide bank account details for sale thanks to his employment at the financial institution. He reportedly advised potential buyers on how to use the information without triggering fraud detection mechanisms.
The consequences of Frazier’s alleged actions were significant, enabling unauthorized electronic transactions and fund transfers across hundreds of customer accounts, according to the charges.
Facing a potential maximum sentence of 120 years in prison for wire fraud, along with a mandatory minimum of two years for the aggravated identity theft charge if convicted, Frazier’s case highlights severe legal ramifications for bank insiders abusing their access to confidential customer information.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) – Office of Inspector General led the investigation into Frazier’s activities. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Lanni is prosecuting the case.
While the charges suggest serious allegations against Frazier, it is essential to recognize that they are part of a formal legal process. Frazier, like all individuals accused of a crime, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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