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On July 22nd, 2025, officers responded to a bank after receiving reports that a female was attempting to cash a fraudulent check. >> Hello. >> Hi. How are you? >> I'm doing good. >> I'm good. I got a call in >> Mhm. >> this check. I called the owner to verify and he said that they've been trying to defraud this account all day with these type of checks specifically. >> Okay. >> Um Hello. >> Is this the first time that you got this check here? >> Yeah. That's why I called him because the style of the check is wrong. The um >> The check is wrong? >> Yeah. >> 2103 >> The style of the check doesn't match the previous ones and I authenticated the account owner and he said that they're trying to defraud his account with another person as well with that type of check and that another person. >> Okay. Listen, we're going to do a little investigation right here. Go down here. >> Who did you receive that check from? >> No. Okay. >> Who did you receive that check from? >> Where did you receive this check? >> mail. In my mail. >> In your mail? >> Mhm. >> And then you just get here and and you want to cash it up? >> Yeah. >> So basically you're telling me that you received this uh >> In the mail. >> in the mail? And you just Do you work for this? >> I did one time. >> You did one time? >> It was like a long time ago. >> When when did you work for this company? >> Twice. I don't even remember. It was long ago. >> Long ago and you received it now and you decided to come and and cash it up? >> Mhm. Cuz we had moved from the other location so I had to get it sent to the house I was at. >> Okay. But basically what they are saying is they called the owner and um Yeah, I'll leave it to you right now. >> They called the owner? >> Yeah, I mean the and they said the the account the account has been uh trying to be a fraud. So >> Oh, I see. >> We'll figure it out. We'll figure it out. What's going on? >> Hello. >> So, what? >> Okay, so what I received a check to cash it and I go into the account so I can verify it and the style of the checks doesn't match the style that one is printed. The checks are usually handwritten, so I also said it >> For this company? >> For that company, yes. >> All of them are handwritten? >> All of them are handwritten. I also said that the check number um matches one of the checks that was cashed in May of this year. >> By who? Do you know by who? >> Hm? >> Do you know by who? >> By another person, but that one's handwritten. >> Okay. >> Handwritten, yeah. And so I called the account owner to verify the check to see if it's an actual check and he tells me that that is a fraudster that they are trying to cash another check also printed from that account since today morning going to various City National branches. >> Okay. >> He asked me, the account owner asked me for the check number, I gave it to him, he said, "No, that's out of the question. It's not" I told him the name also and he was like, "No, that is a fraudster. That's not an actual check." >> So, you have no idea who this person is? >> No. >> Do you have any the information for the owner? >> For the owner, yes. >> Yeah, can you can you give it to me, please? Hello, how are you doing? This is Officer Martinez from Hialeah Police Department. >> Yes, sir. >> How are you doing, sir? Um I called you uh regarding to the check that Yeah. I have a question uh Jeronimo's Andrea Chloe. And she said that she worked for you 2 years ago, 2 and 1/2 years ago and uh And she never worked for you? >> Oh, no. I'm just kidding that I you know, I don't have a very big company, so I can I do the hiring and firing. So, I I definitely remember that person. >> That's Did you say that >> I just talked about the check that check that they're presenting has already been presented before and I know who I really wrote it to. >> Okay. >> So, and and this is this is uh I just had a phone call with the bank that um this is the third check presented of mine of from the same account? It's been same story they're all been washed. Actually, they're not even washed checks by the way. I looked at the image of it of what was presented to the Coral Gables branch. That was yesterday morning. Um and there's like a holo it's not even my check. It's just my signature. >> Okay. >> They they they I don't have I don't have holograms on my checks. >> Uh I asked them are they typed or handwritten? >> And the one that was presented at at the one in Coral Gables had had a hologram on it. >> Yeah. Your checks are uh not written or just uh >> They they could be either way, but but in this case so far I haven't seen the one that you all I haven't seen what you all presented, but they were presented at that branch with the other two branches. When was it When was it like 2 hours ago? The other and it's a different person presenting it at other places. Um those those checks were initially issued handwritten, but what they presented there was all printed. >> Okay. >> Like you know like they like typed like they took a computer. >> [music] >> What kind of what what kind of business is it? >> What kind of what? >> What kind of business is your >> Oh, a restaurant restaurant and bar. >> All right. Restaurant and bar. You said that she worked in the kitchen for like a half a summer. That's what I asked you. >> No. Tell me her name one more time just so I can make absolutely sure, but I even if there's I don't even I don't I don't really have half of part-time people like that. Just to make just to make real sure. >> All right. >> What was her name again? >> His uh first name is Andrea. Uh last name Cody. Andrea Cody. >> Yeah, definitely not and definitely not in the kitchen. I I I've I've only had one female person in the kitchen I can ever think of actually. Um Yeah, and that would not be her. >> Okay. >> Do you And what what do you Uh that check number that they're presenting there is um 9237. >> Yep. It is. >> Okay. Um that's the only one I have. Yeah, but so far everyone I've looked up I'm looking up while we're talking. Uh everyone I've looked up so far is um is a check that was written like in May that they now presented again same number again now. >> Okay. >> One sec I'm looking up that check. Yeah, that is it's really I mean first of all it's way out of sequence. Um I'm past 2300 now in my checks. I don't know I don't write a ton of checks. >> All right, what you guys like I'll let you know anything. I'll call you back if you need something. >> Perfect. This is my cell you can reach me anytime. >> All right, thank you. I'm going to read you something. Okay. I will I will read your Miranda warning Miranda rights. >> Yeah, I have one. >> Just listen to me. >> No, I'm just calling I don't know what >> Okay, just hold on. Okay, all right, just listen to me. You have to right to remain in silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of You have the right to talk to a lawyer. Have a lawyer present while you are being questioned. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed to represent you before questioning if you wish. You can decide at any time to exercise this right and do not answer any question or make any statement. It's fine. Do you understand your rights as I've explained it to you? >> Mhm. >> Yes or no? >> Yes. >> All right. Having this right in mind knowing that I have the willing to answer my question now? >> Can I answer the phone now? >> No, no, no, no. >> No, no, just hold on. Yeah. >> You want to talk so you can talk. >> I can not. >> So, it's a simple question. >> I talked to the owner of the of the business. >> No. >> And he he never hired you before. >> It was a game with a job and game with she keeps calling. Can I just see what she wants? >> No, no, no, no. We're talking now. Here. So, he never he never hired you, right? >> So, how would I be getting a check in the mail if I wasn't working >> Okay. And this check number right here, >> Mhm. >> that doesn't match with this check with this amount with this number with this name that is your name right here on the check. That's why we're talking to you, right? >> Mhm. >> So, this is match with another amount paid to another employee just Mike. It's not 2 and 1/2 years ago when you said you work for All right. So, question again. How do you get this check? >> It came I promise you it came in my mail. >> Mhm? >> It came in my mail. >> Oh. So, somebody randomly just sent you a check? >> It It came >> Listen, if you're honest with us, >> I am being honest. >> then we can see what we can >> I'm being honest. >> Okay. Because we have an owner telling us that they don't know who you are. Nobody just going to send you a check for $1,600 randomly like that because I think that you're a nice person. Nobody does that. >> I don't have that. >> So, again, this How did you get that check? Who gave you that check? >> I'm telling you the truth. >> So, you just came here with a random check, let me cash it out, and that's it. Call it a day. >> Cuz I got it >> For a place that you never worked at somebody that you know. Is that your story? No. Let me ask you again. Do you work for them? Cuz they're saying no. >> I don't know who you are. I'm telling you. >> You're lying to me. >> They said they don't know >> I don't know. >> Even though I gave him your name to them and they couldn't find you on the on the data on the on the payroll. So, he's the owner. And he said that he never >> Well, I I honestly don't know why, but I did get it in the mail. >> And what do you say this uh the place where you work at? >> It's in Gabe's >> Yeah, but he said he never hired you. That's why. >> But, okay, I answered your question. Can I ask you one? >> What is your >> Am I being arrested? >> You're being detained. >> now. We are under investigation right now. All right? Now, can you just sign that for me, please? Just sign that for me. >> Can I sign that? Can I put my phone >> Yeah, check it out. Yeah, and check out the the back, too. Okay. Now, you said you go through the front of the door. >> The suspect was transported to the police station for further questioning by detectives. >> Ms. Cody, you know why we're here. How How did you come about this? And just so you know, all the questions that we ask, we already know the answers. >> They want to say like there's anybody else is to hear about this? >> The only people that are to hear about it are the people that are in this room and the attorneys. >> The check was given to me. >> It was given to you by who? Who gave you the check? >> Um the I don't know what his name is. >> Is he a relative, a friend? >> know. >> Stranger? >> It's just my friend's grandmother's boyfriend. >> You don't know his name? You never met him before? >> They call I never met him, but they call him Ken. >> Ken, K I N? >> I don't know how to spell it, but it's Ken. >> Was this the first This is the first time that he's ever given you a check or anything? >> Yes, sir. >> So, why did he give you the check? >> Cuz my friend told us one day about the checks and stuff and she said that it was like real checks from real companies, so I didn't really know what it was. I was just doing it. He didn't want me to do it. >> Did they What did they tell you that you had to do with the check? >> Just go to the bank and cash it. >> And then and then what? >> Just call them. >> Did Did they want a piece of it? Did they say you could keep all of it? >> No, they wanted some of it. >> How much did they want? >> Um I'm not sure. She didn't say. She just said cash it and come back with your friend and then she was going to pay. >> And then she was going to give you part of it? Did someone drop you off at the bank or did you drive there? >> Um someone dropped me off. >> Someone dropped you off? Did you go anywhere else before that? >> No. >> I would Did Did you Did you open your account straight to that bank? Um so, have you ever been to that bar or you have never been to that company? >> No. >> No? You've never met the owner and nothing? >> No. >> Okay. So, you went to the bank with a check that somebody else gave you. >> Mhm. >> Tried to cash it. Is this the first time that you tried to cash it? >> Mhm. >> And did you ever try and cash another check that, you know, that wasn't yours? >> No. >> No. How old are you? >> 19. >> 19? Okay. You understand that trying to deposit or withdraw money from somebody else's account is a criminal offense, right? >> Yeah, but I didn't know it was anybody else's account. I wasn't aware of that. >> So, you went to the bank with a check. Did you read the check? >> No, I didn't read the name that was on it. >> What's the name on it? >> Mine's and the company's name. >> All right, so you see but you see where where it's going. You So, you read the company's company's name. >> That's just like playing Saturday and I just wanted something. >> All right. But have you ever Have you ever worked for that bank? >> No. >> Okay, the the company? No, sorry, the company. >> No. >> No. So, did you You must have known that it's you're trying to take funds from somebody's account from a company's account that you You were ever work for that company? >> But you see where the issue lies. It's a check written out to you for a company you've never been to, you've never worked for, you've never done any kind of work for, and you were told to cash it. >> Mhm. >> Cash your reason and at least five red flags. >> Does this mean I'm going to jail? >> Right now, there's two felonies and a misdemeanor for the just this case alone. Okay. >> What does that mean? >> So, those are three different criminal offenses. Okay? Two felonies, which is a little bit of a higher standard, than a misdemeanor. Okay. So, at this time it looks like you're you're going to have to go to jail. Now, you when you when you get over there, you get they'll assign you a public defender. Uh you can talk to the public defender. You know, talk to them. Maybe they might be able to work something out, or whatever the case may be. This is your first time getting arrested? You never know. Uh things happen. But, >> I don't have any phone numbers on me. >> Well, who do you have to call? >> My mom. >> Your mom? >> My mom don't take collect calls, so I'm going to try to >> No, that's fine. Uh what we'll do is right before you leave, we'll let we'll let you give your mom a call, and let her know where you're going to be at and stuff. >> The um the guy that gave you the check, when did he give you the check? >> Today. >> He gave it to you today? And he is your godmother's husband? >> It's my friend's It's my friend's godmother. >> Your friend's godmother? What's her name? >> My friend? >> No, the the husband. >> really know him. I don't know her either. I don't know her. >> Okay. >> What's your friend's name? >> Tasha. >> Tasha? What's her full name? >> Tequila. >> Tequila? And how long have you known your friend for? >> For a long time. >> How did this come about? Like, how did you hear about it? >> She told me about it on the phone. >> About what? The check? >> The check. How did What came about? The check, or me? >> Um in general, like how did how did how did this whole thing come about? Your friend worked for a long time, and you've never met her before. >> No, her godmother and her boyfriend, she said that they do it all the time. >> Okay. Where do they live? >> Um I don't know. >> You don't have an address or anything like that? I hate to tell you this, Courtney, but this doesn't look good. Doesn't look good. >> So were they When you said that you were supposed to walk out with the money and everything like that, were they waiting for you outside? What car? >> It was a black car. >> Oh, what kind of make? Nissan, Honda? >> I think it was a Honda. >> Did they Were they there when we arrived? >> Yeah, she left with the first officer though. >> Oh, she left with the first officer. And uh that was Tasha or >> Both of them were there. >> Tasha and her godmother? >> Mhm. >> So they told you that they they had done this before? A lot of times? Yeah? >> No, like different people. >> But different people? [clears throat] What do you mean? >> I guess different people, not the same people. >> So they're they're not the ones that usually go ahead and do it. They'll get >> They send other >> So somebody like you to go and do it. Do you think that's fair? >> No, I honestly didn't know what was going on. I thought I was just going to cash a check, honestly. >> Cash a check on the U-Haul. That's cool. You want to tell us about >> Cuz it's in my name, I thought it >> They got you by the hair and everything. I'm playing you. But I want you to >> But yeah, that's that's that's the hard part. You know what I'm saying? Cuz honestly, nobody wants to do this to you. But at the end of the day, there's a check written out to you for $1,635. That belongs to a business. You understand? That's And and this is like you never worked for, you never met or anything like that or that you ever did any work for. That's like right now, you you have a mom and dad, right? All right. So let's say, you know, somebody goes over there, writes has a check for your mom and says it's for $3,000, right? Let's say that's all that she has in that's in her account. Somebody goes in, cashes it and takes out $3,000 and walks out. Now, do you think that's fair to your mom then? That's her hard earned money. Yeah, it's not it's not fair. >> She was charged with uttering a forged instrument, grand theft, and fraudulent use of personal identification. Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don't forget to like and subscribe.

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