[jabs]

a friend of mine is a victim of check deposit fraud. What happen is a person who owes him money, paid him by depositing three checks to his account. Trusting the person that the checks are good he withdraw some of the payment from his account because he needs the money. He didn't know that all the checks that was deposited to his account are non-existing bank account. So his bank freeze all his account and his being charge with check deposit fraud.

What can he do to reverse all the charges on him? In fact he is a victim too.

Any legal advice??? -- Thank you.

[aaron]

Does your friend have a lawyer yet? Are the police aware of his version of what happened? Were the three checks from different accounts? All in the name of the person who owed him money?

[jabs]

no, he does not have a lawyer yet and has not reported it to the police because he is trying to work it out with the bank fraud department... so far, things are not going favorably for him... the issuer of the check has her name on the three checks issued and it all came from the same non-existent bank account. is there a way to settle this without having to hire a lawyer to minimize time and financial burden to my friend thanks!!!

[Guilty Or Not Guilty]

How were the checks deposited, ATM or a bank teller? If it was a bank teller I can see it is easy for him to win. If it was a ATM deposit, and he withdrew 100% of the deposited money, the odds are harder for him to win.

What was the total of the checks, and in what state? Because state laws varies amounts regarding misdemeanors and felonies.

If he does not get charged, have him take the other person to small claims court (depending on the amount and state.)