Denver banks were the target of a sophisticated check-kiting scheme hatched by 16 people from Tajikistan and Russia that resulted in the theft of more than $300,000 during a 15- month period, according to an indictment returned by a Denver grand jury.
The group allegedly used their names or false names to open numerous accounts at the banks. The indictment, returned Nov. 10, was unsealed this week.
Prosecutors alleged that the goal of the group was to withdraw cash from the accounts before the financial institutions were aware that there were insufficient funds or the accounts had been closed.
The Denver district attorney’s office identified the ringleaders of the group as Azimdzhon Mazhidov, 22; Firuzi Sharifi, 19; Bobokalon Sharipov, 20; and Firdavsi Urunov, 23.
The four are charged with violating Colorado’s organized-crime act along with multiple counts of theft and conspiracy to commit theft.
Among the banks targeted were the First Bank of Cherry Creek, Wells Fargo Bank, JPMorgan Chase Bank, U.S. Bank and Key Bank.
According to the Denver district attorney’s office, five of the 16 have been arrested in Denver or Philadelphia. The rest remain at large.
In addition to facing criminal charges, the indicted will eventually face deportation, according to the district attorney’s office.
The scam allegedly operated from August 2009 until Nov. 10.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
