Modesto Man Sentenced To Prison For Fraudulent Check-Cashing Scheme

FRESNO, Calif. — Steven Hamman, 52, of Modesto, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Anthony W. Ishii to three years and one month in prison for his involvement in a fraudulent check-cashing scheme, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

According to court documents, between January 2009 and January 2011, Hamman conspired with others to cash stolen or fraudulently procured checks at electronic check-cashing kiosks (known as “Vcom,” or “virtual commerce” machines). Hamman used fraudulently created Vcom accounts to attempt to cash the checks, sometimes using checks that other co-conspirators previously had attempted and failed to cash. On several occasions, Hamman attempted to cash the same check more than once. During the course of the conspiracy, Hamman’s check-cashing scheme caused or threatened to cause a loss of more than $47,000 to more than 50 victims, including financial institutions and others.

This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Baker prosecuted the case.