Los Angeles Man Sentenced in $2.8 Million Bank Fraud Scheme

16 July 2026

A 26-year-old man identified by federal prosecutors as a member of a South Los Angeles-based Crips street gang has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for his role in a $2.8 million bank fraud conspiracy that investigators said was promoted through Instagram.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Chase Matthew Griffin pleaded guilty in March to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. A federal judge sentenced him to 108 months in prison and ordered him to pay more than $307,000 in restitution.

Prosecutors said the scheme operated between 2022 and September 2025. Investigators alleged that Griffin and his co-conspirators stole checks from the mail, altered or counterfeited them, and recruited bank account holders through social media to deposit the fraudulent checks before quickly withdrawing the money.

Authorities said Griffin allegedly posted photographs of himself holding large stacks of cash on Instagram while advertising for people willing to provide access to their bank accounts. Once fraudulent checks were deposited, investigators said the funds were rapidly withdrawn through ATMs, electronic payment services and purchases before banks detected the fraud.

The investigation began after several businesses reported mailed checks had been stolen and altered. Federal investigators traced transactions through bank records and other financial evidence before linking the activity to Griffin. The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the Upland Police Department and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California.