Former Employee Arrested Following $3,146 Bank Fraud Case in Malone

A Constable resident faces felony charges after troopers uncover a double-check mobile deposit scheme targeting a former employer.

Financial security relies on trust, but modern mobile banking features can sometimes expose vulnerable gaps when that trust is broken. On July 19, 2026, New York State Police made a critical Malone fraud arrest after an investigation revealed that a former employee illegally siphoned thousands of dollars from a local resident’s bank account using duplicate check deposits.

The case highlights how rapid digital banking conveniences can be exploited for illegal financial gain—and why vigilant bookkeeping remains essential for North Country residents and local businesses alike.

The Investigation: How a Duplicate Deposit Scheme Unfolded

The incident began on July 3, 2026, at approximately 6:13 p.m., when State Troopers responded to a complaint on Spencer Road in the town of Malone. A local resident reported unauthorized financial withdrawals that pointed directly to a previous employment relationship.

According to official releases from the New York State Police, investigators determined that 21-year-old Skyler J. Lamere of Constable, NY, fraudulently obtained $3,146.50 from his former employer’s bank account.

Exploiting Digital Banking Features

The mechanics of the fraud relied on double-dipping physical paychecks through electronic channels:

1. Initial Paper Deposit: The victim paid Lamere for work performed using physical paper checks, which Lamere originally cashed or deposited directly into his account.

2. Electronic Re-deposit: Rather than disposing of the cleared paper checks, Lamere subsequently submitted the same checks a second time using mobile remote deposit capture (RDC) applications.

3. Duplicate Account Withdrawals: The processing error led to duplicate funds being deducted directly from the victim’s business account, draining over $3,100 before the anomaly was identified.

“During the investigation, the New York State Police worked closely with the bank’s fraud department to document the fraudulent transactions and assist in resolving the matter,” stated Trooper Brandi M. Ashley, Public Information Officer for Troop B.

Legal Charges and Court Proceedings

Following a detailed review of financial records alongside banking investigators, State Police formally arrested Lamere on July 19, 2026. He was processed at SP Malone and faces two serious statutory charges under New York Penal Law:

• Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (Class D Felony): Applied when stolen property value exceeds $3,000.

• Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree (Class E Felony): Charged when an individual engages in a systematic ongoing course of conduct with intent to defraud multiple persons or obtain property through fraudulent pretenses.

Lamere was arraigned in the Town of Malone Court and released on his own recognizance pending future court appearances. Under New York criminal procedure, all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Protecting Yourself Against Mobile Check Scams

Mobile check deposit technology offers tremendous convenience, but duplicate presentment fraud remains a growing concern across the financial sector. Account holders can take proactive measures to prevent similar losses:

• Audit Bank Statements Frequently: Check online balances weekly to spot duplicate transaction descriptions or unexpected overdrafts early.

• Restrict Check Retention Rules: If paying employees or contractors via check, require endorsed confirmation or transition entirely to direct deposit (ACH) transfers.

• Notify Banks Immediately: Under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), account holders have limited timeframes to report unauthorized or duplicate check items to ensure reimbursement.

Conclusion

This recent law enforcement action demonstrates the importance of swift collaboration between victims, banking fraud units, and law enforcement officers. While modern mobile banking tools streamline daily finances, staying alert to account activity remains our best defense against economic crime.

If you suspect you have been a victim of check fraud or unauthorized electronic withdrawals, contact your financial institution’s fraud department immediately and file a report with the New York State Police.

3. CONTENT REQUIREMENTS VERIFICATION

• Primary Keyword: Malone fraud arrest (Used in title, first 10% of body text, and naturally throughout).

• Keyword Density: ~1% optimized across verified news content.

• Quotes Included: Official statement from Trooper Brandi M. Ashley, Troop B PIO.

• Data Points: $3,146.50 stolen amount; 21 years old; reported July 3, 2026; arrested July 19, 2026.

• Word Count: ~630 words.

• Fact-Checking Status: Fully verified against official New York State Police press release (Troop B, SP Malone, July 2026).

4. IMAGE PROMPTS

Cartoon/Illustration Style

1. Prompt 1: Editorial vector illustration of a smartphone screen displaying a check deposit icon next to a balance sheet showing duplicate transactions, clean vector style, modern digital news art, cool tones.

2. Prompt 2: Flat design illustration depicting a magnifying glass hovering over paper checks and digital banking icons, corporate news graphic style, professional line art, blue and gold accents.

3. Prompt 3: Conceptual illustration showing a secure bank vault door integrated with a digital smartphone shield, stylized editorial graphics, professional news site illustration.

Photorealistic Style

1. Prompt 1: Close-up photographic shot of a person’s hands holding a smartphone displaying a mobile banking application, sitting at a desk with financial bank statements and paper checks spread out, natural office lighting, sharp detail.

2. Prompt 2: Exterior shot of a New York State Police patrol vehicle parked outside a local municipal courthouse on a clear afternoon, journalistic news photograph style, sharp focus, natural daylight.

3. Prompt 3: A realistic close-up photo of a pen resting on a signed personal bank check alongside a smartphone camera lens capturing the document, shallow depth of field, high-resolution news journalism photo.