Ex-Bank Employee Stole $1M From Customer's Account: BurlCo Prosecutor

MOUNT HOLLY, NJ — A former bank employee stole nearly $1 million from a customer's account to fund his side businesses, real estate transactions and cover personal expenses, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office (BCPO).

Agha Hasan befriended a customer, gained his trust and offered to help him with bill paying, authorities said. Overall, he stole $998,188 from the victim over a six-year period while working for Santander Bank's Mount Holly branch office, according to law enforcement.

Hasan, 41, was arrested Tuesday morning at this Bordentown Township home.

Last year, fraud investigators for Santander Bank contacted law enforcement about unusual transactions that Hasan conducted, the BCPO said. The bank had recently fired Hasan, who began working for the bank in 2014.

As Hasan's relationship with the customer progressed, he began visiting the victim's home. During visits, Hasan obtained blank checks that the customer had signed and had him approve wire transfers, authorities said.

Hasan put those funds toward his personal expenses and business ventures, including managing and operating gas stations, car washes and convenience stores, the BCPO said. He also used the victim's money to finance real estate transactions and run a consulting business — Delval Consultants, LLC — according to law enforcement.

Hasan was charged with theft by deception (second-degree), computer criminal activity (second-degree), misapplication of entrusted property (second-degree), three counts of failure to file state tax returns (third-degree), five counts of failure to pay income tax (third-degree) and two counts of filing false tax returns (third-degree).

He was placed in the Burlington County Jail, pending a detention hearing. The BCPO will present the case to a grand jury for possible indictment.