A Georgia man has pleaded guilty to his role in a multi-state check fraud conspiracy that targeted banks across Western New York, causing nearly $65,000 in losses.
Federal prosecutors say 34-year-old Ameer Clark of Atlanta helped orchestrate a scheme that involved stealing real business checks, creating fake ones, and using recruited individuals to cash them at local banks.
Between January and September 2022, members of the conspiracy traveled from Atlanta to Buffalo and Rochester to carry out the fraud. Prosecutors say the group dressed their recruits to appear as construction workers or laborers and drove them to various banks across the region, including KeyBank, M&T Bank, Bank on Buffalo, and Evans Bank.
If a fraudulent check was cashed successfully, the individual would receive a small cut of the money.
Multiple New York businesses targeted
Investigators linked the fake checks to businesses based in Elma, Tonawanda, Clarence, Sanborn, Rochester, and Alden. In total, the fraud resulted in $64,979.67 in losses and attempted losses.
Clark is the latest defendant to plead guilty in the case. Co-conspirators Lorenzo Jones and Quentavious Price were previously convicted. Charges are still pending against a fourth individual, Montez White.
Clark now faces up to 30 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine. Sentencing is set for January 5, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the New York State Police.
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