A former Anchorage United States Postal Service postal carrier was arrested Wednesday in Missouri after a federal grand jury in Alaska returned an indictment charging him with fraud and theft for allegedly stealing checks from the mail.
According to court documents, Nha Xiong, 25, altered bank checks, using Whiteout to remove the name of the intended recipient, and wrote his own name on the checks to make it appear as if the checks were made out to him. Xiong would then deposit the altered checks into his bank account.
From November to December 2021, Xiong deposited six stolen checks from Northrim Bank, Bank of America, KeyBank, and Mt. McKinley Bank into his bank account, totaling over $39,000.
Xiong is charged with one count bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1344(2), and one count theft of mail by a postal employee, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1709.
Xiong will make his initial court appearance on a later date before a U.S. District Court judge for the District of Alaska. If convicted, Xiong faces potential fines and up to 30 years in prison.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General are investigating the case.
Whiteout? No one would notice? Bwaaahaaaaahhhheeeee
I had a check stolen from INSIDE the post office by an employee. I contacted the Postmaster General and the local Postal Authorities. Still waiting over 4 years. What galls me is why in hell would a bank cash checks with whiteout???
According to my spouse who used to manage a credit union:
Some financial institutions engaging in online banking allow you to take a picture of the check and upload it digitally to your financial institution for deposit.
At that point the computer software is only interested in the MICR line and the depositor matching the account being deposited into.
Actually, my whiteout check was presented to the bank in person by the crook.
Anything I say could be construed as racist.
Was this an American citizen? Contract employee?
And nobody comments on the glaring fact that at least 10 criminal counts are not charged? This person is criminally liable for each stolen check. Each was a separate theft and each one deposited was a separate act of bank fraud.
I wonder if this former postal carrier might also have been responsible for some of the innumerable obviously spoofed Amazon ‘customer’ reviews of shoddy and/or counterfeit products sold there?
“Much so happy of product! Very tall quality. Will buy again!”
‘It’s a crime. It was fraud’: Woman is out $10,000 after Chase Bank refuses to investigate check scam.
She mailed a $10,000 check to a relative out of state. Someone stole it and cashed it, and now her bank told both the reporter and the customer a “technicality” prevents them from investigating.
‘https://www.cbs7.com/2024/01/18/its-crime-it-was-fraud-woman-is-out-10000-after-chase-bank-refuses-investigate-check-scam/
This is not just happening in Alaska. I have a friend in Alabama who sent his payment of more than $500 to American Express. AM Express sent him a notice that his payment was overdue. Then he noticed that his payment check was changed to pay to the order of: “American Express OR JOHN DOE”. Pay attention. Not sure if was a US postal employee. It seems now that the government cannot even fulfill its constitutional duty to deliver the mail.
Fyi….when I was in school (9th grade math) our teacher taught us write a wiggly line after the name who was to get the check and also do the same on the written line stating the amount. He said it was to prevent adding names or adding to the amount.
They waited til 9th were you lived!😳 In hot springs Mt we learnt that in 5th as part of our math course
Sadly the overworked post office employees desire to provide the worst customer service anywhere.
Who sends checks in the mail anymore?
I’m a tech avoiding, old, Luddite & even I don’t use checks anymore & I especially wouldn’t put one in the mail
The only institution that still demands checks (of course) is our Fed Government (Passports)
Glad they caught this cheat ….. “white out” ….. unreal, what is this 1972?
Well, 99¢ stamps are about to be imposed. Thanks loads, mail carriers.
Stealing cash and money only?
I wonder how many ballots did not make it to their destination because of this guy?
Ok what stops those that want to change a mail in election ? This proves beyond a reasonable doubt that there is NO chain of custody… STOP all MAIL in balloting NOW
Thank you for bringing this up Ed! So true! I agree – No Mail In Voting!
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