Bank Manager Admits to Stealing Over $208,000 from Customer

James Gomes Used Position to Commit Wire Fraud, Faces Up to 30 Years in Prison

James Gomes, a former branch manager of an international bank in New York, admitted to stealing more than $208,000 from a customer, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. Gomes, 43, of New York, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud affecting a financial institution before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court.

Gomes, who worked as a branch manager starting in January 2020, improperly accessed a customer’s bank accounts without authorization. He enrolled the accounts in the bank’s online banking services, linked his personal phone number to the accounts, and created a fraudulent email address in the customer’s name. Gomes used this email address to correspond with his official bank email, making it appear that the customer was directing transactions.

In March and April 2020, Gomes transferred $208,939 from the customer’s accounts to his personal bank and investment accounts to pay his personal cell phone bill. He continued the scheme even after the customer’s death on April 5, 2020.

The charge of wire fraud affecting a financial institution carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled for November 6, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited the investigation to special agents and task force officers of IRS - Criminal Investigation, led by Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan in Newark; and special agents of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General, New York Region, led by Special Agent in Charge Patricia Tarasca. He also thanked the Morristown Police Department for their assistance.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marko Pesce of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark and Trial Attorneys D. Zachary Adams and Chelsea Rooney of the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section.