A federal court sentenced a Florida man to 32 months in prison for defrauding Zelle users as part of a bank fraud conspiracy. Prosecutors said victims were targeted through payment-app scams, and the release directs victims to report losses to their financial institution and via the FBI’s IC3.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut announced the sentencing of a defendant to 32 months for a conspiracy involving bank fraud tied to defrauding Zelle users. The case underscores how payment-app ecosystems can be exploited by criminals who orchestrate fraud using stolen or manipulated financial access. While the release is focused on the federal disposition, it highlights the continuing law-enforcement priority placed on schemes that impact consumer payments and account security. Prosecutors’ guidance also reinforces practical next steps for victims of Zelle fraud. The release states that victims can report fraud directly to their financial institution so banks and payment providers can investigate, take protective action, and attempt to recover losses when possible. It also directs victims to use the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), which is used to route cyber-enabled and financial fraud complaints for investigation. For consumers, this case is a reminder that “fast payment” tools are frequently abused in coordinated fraud efforts. Once money moves through the payment workflow, criminals often rely on speed, confusion, and false urgency—so reporting quickly to both financial institutions and IC3 is a critical part of mitigation.