Phila. man faces jail for $1 million ID theft ring

PHILADELPHIA - November 28, 2011

36-year old Miguel Bell was found guilty in June of masterminding a fraud ring that netted at least $1 million from eight area banks.

PNC and Sovereign Bank were among the many bank branches targeted.

Authorities say Bell and his cohorts persuaded female bank tellers to reveal sensitive customer information.

It was a con that tapped into dozens of people's bank accounts.

As victimized customers notified banks, the FBI got involved and traced the ring to Bell.

Investigators say Bell and others involved persuaded 20 people to help carry out the thievery. Among them, people off the street, who were given fake licenses and taken to banks to cash checks.

All of the banks have replaced the money that was fraudulently taken from customer's accounts.

Bell faces a mandatory of two years and a possibility of up to 330 years in prison.

He may also be ordered to pay restitution to his victims.

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