EAST ORANGE, NJ- A Bronx woman pleaded guilty today to her involvement in a scheme aimed at bribing mail carriers to steal postal arrow keys. The keys were used to unlock mail receptacles, allowing the perpetrators to fraudulently obtain funds from banks using stolen items from the mail, announced U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
Halimatou Ndiaye, 27, admitted her guilt before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court. She pleaded guilty to one count of bribery of U.S. Postal Service mail carriers and one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
As per court documents and statements, Ndiaye orchestrated a plan to offer cash bribes, typically amounting to $5,000, to mail carriers in East Orange and Newark. In exchange, she and another individual sought to obtain postal arrow keys, which grant access to various mail receptacles. From June to July 2021, Ndiaye and her accomplice approached mail carriers in different locations, handing them notes stating that they would receive $5,000 for providing an arrow key.
Furthermore, between January and July 2021, Ndiaye conspired with others to fraudulently acquire funds from banks. They accomplished this by using stolen checks and bank cards to withdraw money from bank accounts linked to the stolen items. Additionally, they engaged in identity theft to fraudulently obtain funds.
The bribery charge Ndiaye pleaded guilty to carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The bank fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. Ndiaye’s sentencing is currently scheduled for October 25, 2023.