Con artist, corrupt bank employees pull off lucrative ID scheme

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Most of us likely have confidence that our bank account information is secure, but that's not always the case.

Investigators say Ray Davis was a smooth talker who recruited bank employees to help him carry out his scam. He would pay those employees $50 for a bank customer's personal information.

"With that information he was then able to produce counterfeit checks, change the address of the account, basically take over the account," said U.S. Postal Inspector David Anderchek.

Davis would then recruit women to go into stores and buy merchandise.

"He would produce counterfeit identification and have them open up lines of credit for making purchases and retailers using counterfeit ID and checks to purchase items such as TVs, electronics, furniture," said Anderchek.

The goal was simple: max out each credit line.

"They would bust out the account and then disregard it," said Anderchek.

Fifteen victims lost $84,000.

"It's very popular and it's very efficient," said Anderchek.

All paths in the investigation led right to Davis, but he did not give up easily.

"Our case involved probably three pursuits with Mr. Davis," said Anderchek.

They eventually caught Davis, but the damage was done. Davis was charged with aggravated ID theft and sentenced to three years in prison.