An Illinois man has been sentenced to more than five years in federal prison after being convicted for his role in a large-scale bank fraud scheme. This fraudulent operation involved stolen identities and stolen U.S. Treasury checks, putting multiple victims at risk. The criminal activity was uncovered when law enforcement caught the man attempting to deposit a fake U.S. Treasury check for nearly one million dollars at a bank in Bozeman, Montana.
The man, 24-year-old Dyonte Scott from Chicago, pleaded guilty earlier in July to charges of bank fraud, possession of stolen U.S. Treasury checks, and aggravated identity theft. Alongside Scott, his co-defendant, Lorenzo Botello, was involved in the scheme, which targeted financial institutions across several states. Both men are responsible for orchestrating a complex web of deceit and fraud, affecting both the government and innocent individuals.
How the Scott’s Scheme Worked
The fraud operation started with the theft of personal information from various people across the country. This information was then used to create false identities, which the criminals used to try to open bank accounts. The ultimate goal was to deposit stolen U.S. Treasury checks into these accounts and withdraw the funds for themselves. The U.S. Treasury checks were forged, making them appear like legitimate government-issued payments.
Scott, who was a key figure in the scheme, played a central role in directing the operation. He communicated with Botello and other accomplices using text messages and phone calls. In one message, Scott told Botello: “Lmk [how] everything goes[.] I’m right here with u the whole time.” These texts showed how Scott coached Botello on how to lie to the banks, what documents to present, and what to say to avoid suspicion. The goal was to mislead bank employees into believing the transactions were legitimate.
Theodore Sapperstein’s $1.5 Million Bank Fraud Scheme Exposed
As part of their plan, Scott and Botello traveled to Bozeman, Montana, where they attempted to open bank accounts using the stolen identities. At one point, Scott was caught carrying a nearly one-million-dollar U.S. Treasury check, which he quickly tried to destroy by tearing it up in front of law enforcement officers. The authorities acted swiftly, arresting both men before they could cash the check or complete the fraudulent transactions.
A Coordinated Effort Across States
The fraud scheme wasn’t limited to just one location. Scott and his co-defendant, Botello, were part of a larger, coordinated network of criminals who traveled across the country, targeting banks in different states. Their goal was clear: to cash U.S. Treasury checks that had been stolen and altered. The stolen checks, which were government-issued, were intended for people who were eligible for financial support, such as those receiving tax refunds or social security benefits.
In addition to their fraudulent activities, Scott and Botello made efforts to obstruct the investigation. While Scott was in jail awaiting trial, he instructed others to destroy evidence that could have linked him to the crime. This attempt to cover up the operation only added to the seriousness of the charges against him.
Scott was sentenced to five years and five months in federal prison. He will also serve three years of supervised release after completing his prison term. His co-defendant, Botello, was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison in October. Both men’s sentences are a reminder of the severe consequences of participating in fraudulent schemes that harm the public and defraud the government.
The successful investigation and prosecution of this case were made possible by the hard work of multiple law enforcement agencies. The IRS Criminal Investigation team, Bozeman Police Department, and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office played key roles in bringing the criminals to justice. U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich praised their efforts, highlighting the harm caused by such fraudulent schemes and the importance of prosecuting those responsible.
