Officials in Burlington County, New Jersey are accusing a former bank employee of slowly stealing nearly $1 million from a customer to fund a side business.
Agha Hasan, 41, was charged with a litany of crimes, including theft by deception and computer criminal activity after allegedly stealing $998,188 over a six-year period from a single customer. Law enforcement officials began looking into Hasan last year after an alert from fraud investors at the bank about questionable transactions filed by Hasan.
Burlington County prosecutors say Hasan befriended the customer by offering to help with bill paying, visiting the customer’s home, and obtaining blank signed checks as well as having the customer approve wire transfers.
“The transactions illegally conducted by Hasan utilizing the customer’s funds went toward personal expenses and business ventures in which he had an interest, including the management and operation of gas stations, car washes, and convenience markets,” prosecutors alleged. “The money was also used to broker and finance real estate transactions, as well as to operate a consulting business.”
Hasan was taken into custody on Tuesday at his home. He faces charges of Theft by Deception (Second Degree), Computer Criminal Activity (Second Degree), Misapplication of Entrusted Property (Second Degree), three counts of Failure to File New Jersey Tax Returns (Third Degree), five counts of Failure to Pay Income Tax (Third Degree), and two counts of Filing False Returns (Third Degree).
The case will be presented to a grand jury for possible indictment.