Bergen Woman Admits Role In $1.7M Check Fraud Scheme

A Bergen County woman admitted her role in a fraudulent check scheme that defrauded banks out of $1.7 million. authorities announced.

Chunhua Jin, 45, of Ridgefield, pleaded guilty Friday to bank fraud conspiracy before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty in Newark, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Jin and others opened accounts at bank using the names of fake business and made small deposits and withdrawals several times in the weeks following to make the accounts appear legitimate, Fishman said.

Jin, or another conspirator, eventually deposited a fake check for a large amount of money into an account, which the bank would them credit all or some of the deposit, which would be withdrawn immediately, Fishman said.

The conspirators withdrew as much money as possible before the bank realized the checks were fraudulent and prevented more money from being taken out, authorities said.

Jin admitted that the banks lost $1.7 million due to the scheme, Fishman said.

Bank fraud conspiracy has a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a potential fine of $1 million.

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 24.

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