(Baltimore City, MD) – In May 2015, Investigators from Homeland Security Investigations and the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division – Central South Region began an investigation into Shaakir Raashid Mohammed, 23, of Baltimore, MD, in connection with a theft scheme in Baltimore.
Investigation revealed that Mohammed and his associates would contact customers as they approached ATM machines or the front door of an open bank within Baltimore. Mohammed would ask a customer for assistance in
cashing a check, often, indicating the currency was for his family or promising to pay the customer a fee. After obtaining the victims assistance, Mohammed would often provide them with a check from a closed account. Once the checks were deposit, the currency would be withdrawn from the account, resulting in insufficient funds.
Police say that this type of crime is commonly referred to as “ATM Recruitment”. ATM Recruitment is a very common scheme operating throughout Maryland. Investigators believe that thousands of cooperating customers have been left with negative balances after allowing criminals access to their accounts.
Investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Mohammed charging him with 35 counts of theft under $10,000 and 2 charges of theft scheme $1,000-$100,000.
On June 1, 2015, Baltimore City Police Department arrested Mohammed without incident.
Mohammed is currently being held on $50,000 bond at the Baltimore Central Booking and Intake Center.
The investigation was conducted in collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Baltimore City Police Department, and Baltimore States Attorney’s Office.