Former USPS Employee Convicted of $1.6M Mail Theft and Bank Fraud Scheme
A jury finds Hachikosela Muchimba guilty of fraud, theft, and money laundering after lavish spending spree
A former U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employee has been found guilty of orchestrating a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme that involved stealing and altering checks from the mail. Hachikosela Muchimba, who worked for USPS, deposited more than $1.6 million in fraudulent checks into bank accounts under his control between December 2020 and March 2023, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Luxury Lifestyle Funded by Fraud
Federal prosecutors detailed how Muchimba used stolen funds to support an extravagant lifestyle, which included:
- International travel
- Luxury hotel stays
- Spending at gentlemen’s clubs
The U.S. Attorney’s Office described the scheme as a calculated abuse of his position, exploiting the postal system for personal gain.
Guilty Verdict and Potential Sentence
On Thursday, a jury convicted Muchimba of multiple charges, including:
- Conspiracy to commit mail theft and bank fraud
- Theft of mail
- Bank fraud
- Engaging in a monetary transaction involving criminal proceeds
He now faces a maximum of 30 years in prison for bank fraud and up to five years for mail theft.
A Broader Issue of Mail Fraud
Mail theft and financial fraud cases have been on the rise, with criminals increasingly targeting U.S. mail for stolen checks, identity theft, and banking fraud. Authorities continue to warn individuals and businesses to monitor their mail closely and report any irregularities.
Muchimba’s sentencing date has not yet been announced.
