Bronx man admits to fraudulently withdrawing $58,000 from local banks

A Bronx man has admitted to using fake identities to fraudulently withdraw $58,000 at banks throughout the Capital Region.

Antonio Vargas, 58, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court Wednesday to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

He told the court that between June and July 13, 2022, he presented counterfeit U.S. passport cards and driver’s licenses with his photograph, but the names and other personal information of real customers of local banks.

The banks were Trustco Bank, Pioneer Bank, Broadview Federal Credit Union, Adirondack Trust Bank and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company. They were located in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady counties.

Saratoga Springs Police arrested Vargas when he unsuccessfully attempted to withdraw funds from a Saratoga National Bank branch in July. He has remained in federal custody since then.

Vargas is scheduled to be sentenced on April 16, 2024. He faces a maximum term of 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million on the bank fraud charge and two years in prison on the aggravated identity theft charge.