A contractor from a Houston bank has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei earlier this week. Jaysha Victorian, 23, exploited her system access at a national bank to divert nearly $8.6 million onto prepaid debit cards, some of which were linked to unemployment benefits, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
During her time with the bank's contractor between late 2020 and early 2021, Victorian loaded fraudulent funds onto at least 187 cards including, those meant for Californians receiving unemployment. The scheme proved profitable until the bank intervened, freezing the cards after over $7.6 million had been withdrawn or spent. Victorian personally withdrew some of the funds, including a $1,000 ATM transaction in Houston.
In a statement released by the U.S. Attorney's Office, it was disclosed that Victorian also personally gained about $300,000 from the fraudulent scheme. She now faces potential penalties, including up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Her sentencing is set for July 7 before U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen.
Victorian's bond status allows her to remain free until her sentencing hearing. The investigation, led by the FBI, Houston Police Department, the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General’s Covid Fraud Unit, and the Department of Labor, revealed that she has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brad Gray and Karen Lansden.
