A Massachusetts resident has admitted guilt in a federal court in Portland, Maine, to charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Andre Hill, aged 25, was involved in the unauthorized acquisition and use of debit card numbers over a period from January to February 2023.
Court documents reveal that Hill utilized these stolen card numbers by loading them into a digital wallet application on his mobile device. He then proceeded to make purchases, request cash back, and buy money orders payable to himself across various locations including Maine. The fraudulent activities in Maine were conducted at several retail outlets and post offices within the greater Portland area.
For the bank fraud charge, Hill could face up to 30 years in federal prison along with a maximum fine of $1 million. Additionally, he faces a mandatory two-year prison sentence for aggravated identity theft, which carries a potential fine of $250,000. This sentence will be served consecutively to any other penalties imposed. Post-incarceration, Hill may be subjected to up to five years of supervised release and will be obligated to compensate the victims through restitution.
The investigation leading to Hill's guilty plea was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) alongside the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.