The $5 billion Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union in Harrisburg worked with undercover police investigation that led to the arrest of three Philadelphia men who allegedly used Instagram to steal from financial institutions.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said Tuesday that Shakour S. Smith, 26, Ikeem M. Starks, 25, and Quadir J. Burley, 18, were charged with multiple felonies following an investigation that is still under way by the AG’s Organized Crime Section.

Smith, Starks, and Burley used Instagram to recruit people who allowed their accounts at banks in Philadelphia and Montgomery counties to be used to carry out the fraud. The suspects posted bank logos on Instagram and enticed people to “like” their posts. The criminals then obtained account information from the people who responded, promising them a cut of the money they planned to steal.

Pennsylvania authorities said the trio stole more than $50,000 from various financial institutions, including PSECU. However, the other financial institutions have not been identified yet because the investigation is ongoing and more charges are expected to be filed, Shapiro said.

 

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