111 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
White Plains, NY 10601
Tel: (914) 995-3586
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Jan. 11, 2013 -- Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced today that William Saffian (DOB 03/07/83) of 1155 Warburton Avenue, Yonkers New York has been arraigned on a Felony Complaint charging him with:
• one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class “C” Felony,
• three counts of Forgery in the Second Degree, class “D” Felonies,
• three counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, class “E” Felonies,
• one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class “E” Felony,
relating to the theft of more than $535,000.
Between Aug. 23, 2010 and Jan. 10, 2012, the defendant was a personal banker at the Wells Fargo Bank branch on Saw Mill River Road in the Village of Ardsley.
Without customers’ permission nor instruction, the defendant created joint accounts between two previously unaffiliated customers, and by doing so, was able to set up dozens of unauthorized transfers and illegal withdrawals between several accounts.
The defendant either impersonated the customer over the phone or on the internet through on-line banking access he set up without that customer’s authorization and made ATM, check or counter withdrawals in U.S. currency.
He also modified the addresses where customer statements were sent.
There were fourteen victims and most were over the age of 80.
Wells Fargo corporate security notified the District Attorney’s Office in February 2012 and an investigation began with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspector and the U.S. Secret Service.
Saffian was arrested by investigators with the District Attorney’s Office and arraigned Thursday on a Felony Complaint in Ardsley Village Court.
The defendant was remanded.
His next court date is Jan. 28, 2013 in Ardsley Village Court.
Following the arraignment, District Attorney Janet DiFiore said, “This defendant carefully targeted his victims, preying on the elderly and those who were not paying close attention to their bank account balances. His almost daily electronic transfers of thousands of dollars should be a reminder to all of us to monitor our accounts and remain vigilant.”
The defendant faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in state prison on the top count.
Assistant District Attorney Robert Mayes of the Economic Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case.
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In compliance with Disciplinary Rule 7-107A of the Code of Professional Responsibility, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
