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Identity Thieves Make Play for Mike's Money

Crooks attempt $430K swipe from NYC mayor

By J. Kelman,  Newser User

Posted Oct 3, 2007 2:56 AM CDT

(Newser) – Well, who wouldn't want to be Michael Bloomberg? The billionaire mayor is the latest casualty of the country's losing war on identity theft, reports the New York Times. Using information from Bloomberg's personal Bank of America account, two men attempted separately to steal a total of $430,000 from the affable mogul-turned-mayor.

Bank officials foiled the first attempt—to deposit $420,000 in forged checks—and reported it to authorities. A second man was nabbed as a result of that investigation and charged with stealing $10,000 by transferring funds from the mayor's account. The two could each face up to 7 years in prison. But now the real fun begins: trying to determine how they got Bloomberg's account information in the first place.

Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg looks at a City of London police helmet presented to him during his visit to the City of London police headquarters, London, Monday, Oct. 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)
Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg looks at a City of London police helmet presented to him during his visit to the City of London police headquarters, London, Monday, Oct. 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)   (Associated Press)
Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg with a taxi cab brochure is shown a hybrid, electric and petrol, taxi cab, unseen, outside the City of London Police headquarter, London, Monday, Oct. 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)
Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg with a taxi cab brochure is shown a hybrid, electric and petrol, taxi cab, unseen, outside the City of London Police headquarter, London, Monday, Oct. 1, 2007. (AP...   (Associated Press)
VH1 Save The Music Foundation Gala - Arrivals
VH1 Save The Music Foundation Gala - Arrivals   (Getty Images)
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg looks on as he addresses reporters following his lunch with Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe at the Paris city hall, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007. Bloomberg was meeting Saturday with Paris' mayor and France's ecology minister on a European trip focusing on environmental issues. (AP Photo/Michael...
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg looks on as he addresses reporters following his lunch with Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe at the Paris city hall, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007. Bloomberg was meeting Saturday...   (Associated Press)
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