Birmingham Man Sentenced to 10 Years for $10 Million Fraudulent Check Scheme

Birmingham Man Sentenced for Fraudulent Check Scheme

Birmingham, AL – A recent federal court ruling has brought a significant development in a case that has shaken both the local community and broader national sectors. Mekhi Diwone Harris, a 25-year-old resident of Birmingham’s Lakeview District, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his involvement in an app-based fake check scheme that allegedly defrauded more than $10 million from various entities, including businesses, charitable groups, and individuals.

Details of the Scheme

U.S. District Judge Madeline Haikala delivered the sentence, which also includes an order for Harris to forfeit $160,000. The ruling stems from an investigation that unveiled a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, with Harris’s guilty plea being made official back in April 2024.

Court documents reveal that Harris utilized a Telegram channel named “Work Related Slips” to market and sell fraudulent checks. This channel operated from October 22, 2022, until August 8, 2023, and highlighted a growing trend in check fraud that is increasingly targeting individuals and organizations across the nation. The FBI has linked this specific operation to victims that include municipalities, nursing homes, schools, churches, and numerous businesses, many of which are located in the Northern District of Alabama.

Investigation and Arrest

The investigation was initiated by FBI Special Agent Megan Grose, who emphasized the breadth of the scheme in her complaint. “I have calculated that the total value of the checks posted to the ‘Work Related Slips’ Telegram channel is more than $15.1 million,” Grose noted, indicating the extensive financial impact of Harris’s actions.

Local officials have underscored how such fraud poses a serious threat to both national security and community welfare. U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, Prim Escalona, remarked, “Check fraud is a growing national problem… due in no small part to Telegram channels like the one run by the defendant.”

Methods of Operation

Harris allegedly took to the Telegram messaging service, where he would post redacted photographs of stolen checks in an effort to sell them. Both Cash App and cryptocurrency were reportedly used as payment methods, making transactions difficult to trace.

The investigation connected Harris to the Telegram channel through various means, including his Cash App account, records of text messages, and his social media presence. Notably, photographs from his social media accounts helped investigators tie him to the activities of the “Work Related Slips” channel. His online transactions included references to “scams”, “slips,” and “food,” according to the affidavit.

Impact on Community

The implications of Harris’s actions extend beyond just the immediate financial losses incurred by the victims. Fraud schemes such as this can erode trust within the community and strain public resources. U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, along with the U.S. Secret Service Cyber Fraud Task Force, played a key role in assisting the FBI during the investigation.

Statements from Authorities

FBI Special Agent in Charge Peeples issued a stern warning following the sentencing: “Fraud poses a fundamental threat to our national security as well as to our everyday way of life.” The agent emphasized the FBI’s commitment to pursuing fraudsters who exploit others for personal gain, indicating a broader mission shared amongst local, state, and federal authorities to combat similar crimes.

As community members react to the news of this sentencing, it serves as an important reminder about the perils of engaging in or falling victim to fraudulent schemes. With heightened awareness and collaborative efforts from local authorities, residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to help protect the integrity of the community.