Counterfeit Official Checks of Astoria Bank

Counterfeit checks presented to date have been made payable in amounts ranging between $1,300 and $2,450.


Potential victims of these mystery shopping scams are contacted via e-mail regarding a job opportunity with a fictitious company. Once the potential victim completes the survey attached to the job offer e-mail and returns it, a counterfeit check and additional correspondence are mailed to the potential victim’s residence.


There are two different scenarios:

1. The potential victim is to deposit the check into his or her bank account and within 24 hours withdraw the full amount. He or she is to retain $300 as his or her salary and use the remaining balance to split into two wire transfers to be sent to two separate third-party individuals.




2. The potential victim is to deposit the check into his or her bank account and within 24 hours withdraw the full amount. He or she is to retain $300 as his or her salary and use the remaining balance to purchase $500 Green Dot Money Pak Cards. Upon purchasing the Money Pak Cards, the victim is to scan or e-mail the 14-digit personal identification number to [david.wallace0@yahoo.com] or [david.wallace0@outlook.com]. The victim is then asked to make an urgent donation by purchasing a $20 cashier’s check from his or her bank and making it payable to the American Cancer Fund. The $20 check is then to be scanned to Mr. Wallace’s e-mail address noted above. Note that this check will be used in future counterfeit scams.