Massachusetts Woman Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud

            CONCORD - Donna Silva, 44, of Lowell, Massachusetts pleaded guilty in federal court to bank fraud, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, in February of 2019, Silva was involved in a scheme to defraud several financial institutions.  The defendants in the scheme applied for and obtained multiple loans to purchase cars purportedly sold by Allied Imports, a Manchester car wholesaler, and Cap’s Auto Sales, a Manchester car retailer.  The sales were fraudulent because the defendants never owned or greatly inflated the value of the cars.  In total, the defendants defrauded the financial institutions of several hundred thousand dollars. 

            Silva signed a fraudulent purchase contract and Assignment of Title with Cap’s Auto Sales purporting to state that she would buy a car sold by the company.  She then used the documents to apply for and obtain a car loan secured by the vehicle, which Cap’s Auto Sales did not own or have the title to.

            Silva is scheduled to be sentenced on August 15, 2022.

            “By submitting false documents to obtain fraudulent loans, the defendant participated in a substantial criminal scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Young.  “As this case demonstrates, we work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who commit fraud.  By working together, we strive to hold these criminals accountable for their unlawful conduct and seek justice for victims.”

             This matter was investigated by the United States Secret Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Rombeau and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen.

###