Financial Crimes on the Rise in Guam: Recent Cases Highlight Concerns

A Growing Problem in Guam

A string of high-profile financial crimes has emerged in Guam, sparking concerns about the island’s vulnerability to fraud and identity theft. These cases highlight the need for vigilance and awareness when it comes to financial crimes on Guam.

Notable Cases

• Evan Daniel Montvel-Cohen: A 55-year-old individual was sentenced to 82 months in prison for using a fake driver’s license and email address to defraud a property management company out of nearly $20,000.

  • The scheme involved using an altered image of his driver’s license with another person’s name and date of birth to secure a residential lease agreement.
  • He then bounced rent checks and never paid the deposit fees owed, resulting in a significant loss for the company.

• Bank Fraud: Montvel-Cohen was also found guilty of bank fraud after depositing a $45,010 check from a joint Bank of Hawaii account into a joint Bank of Guam account and then causing a stop payment order to be placed on the check.

  • This resulted in a loss of $39,356 for the Bank of Guam.

Total Losses

The total losses in these cases are estimated to be over $1.5 million, with Montvel-Cohen’s history of fraud spanning multiple years and leaving a trail of victims throughout the United States.

Response from Law Enforcement

• The FBI is taking these cases seriously, with Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill stating that “fraud and identity theft are devastating to those who fall victim to these crimes.”
• The agency will spare no effort or resource when investigating those responsible.

A Call for Vigilance

These recent cases highlight the need for vigilance and awareness when it comes to financial crimes on Guam. With losses estimated to be over $1.5 million, it’s clear that this is a serious concern that requires attention from law enforcement, financial institutions, and the community at large.