Upper Chichester Police Search for Bank Fraud Suspects in Delaware County

UPPER CHICHESTER, Pennsylvania (WPVI) – Upper Chichester police are hoping the public can help them identify two people they believe targeted a man in Delaware County for bank fraud. There are also concerns there may be more victims.

On June 4 at around 12:30 p.m., according to police, the two followed the man from the Giant in Aston and approached him in the parking lot.

One suspect claimed he dropped a $20 bill while the other recorded the interaction.

According to police, the victim pulled out his wallet, opened it and said the money was not his, causing cards to fall to the floor and the man’s personal information to possibly be recorded on video.

A short time later, police said thousands of dollars were stolen from the man’s bank account.

“It’s terrible. There are all kinds of things happening, all kinds of scams going around and people just have to be really, really careful,” said Jackie Kane of Aston Township, who was walking her dog near the Village Green Shopping Center.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, more than 30,000 cases of bank fraud were reported nationwide in the first quarter of this year. The three states ranked eighth overall in fraud cases, and people between the ages of 70 and 79 were most commonly affected.

“They are also too trustworthy, the older people,” said Cindy Robertson of Ridley Park, who was shopping nearby.

“You should be careful, especially if you are alone and have no one with you.”

Local residents say it is important to be mindful of one’s surroundings, and they are also grateful that in this case the damage was only financial.

“It’s frustrating. It’s frustrating that people do this. This guy has worked his whole life for what he has and then someone steals it from him. That’s not good,” said Dave Bonavita of Upper Chichester.