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HOMEOWNERS in a US city reported that their tax refunds had gone missing – only for cops to later learn that they had been stolen.
Hachikosela Muchimba, a former US Postal Service worker, allegedly stole checks worth more than $1.6 million in a crime spree between 2020 and 2023.
Muchimba’s plot centered around stealing US Treasury and private party payments in Washington DC, according to the Department of Justice.
He allegedly altered the checks before depositing them into his bank.
On some of the checks, Muchimba allegedly replaced the names the check was intended for, swapping them for his own.
And, surveillance footage captured Muchimba depositing the checks at ATMs; sometimes he was wearing a uniform.
One check allegedly deposited was worth more than $415,000, according to court documents seen by The Miami Herald.
And, he is accused of using the payments to splash out on a lavish lifestyle.
He splashed out at gentlemen’s clubs and stayed at luxury hotels.
Muchimba delivered mail to homes in the Wesley Heights neighborhood of DC.
Wesley Heights is a leafy suburb of Washington DC and is known for its affluence.
But, in January 2023, one man claimed his tax refund had been stolen, as reported by the NBC affiliate WRC-TV.
Cops investigated the missing payment and were able to trace it to the plot.
This was because Muchimba delivered festive cards to locals the previous month.
But, months after Muchimba’s apparent scheme started, he filed paperwork for naturalization.
Avoiding mail theft
To prevent mail theft, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) recommends residents take several precautions.
- First, avoid letting mail sit in your mailbox—inspect it daily and remove it promptly.
- For package deliveries, track shipments on the USPS website and sign up for email or text alerts to stay informed.
- If you’re not home when your mail is scheduled to arrive, consider asking a trusted neighbor to pick it up for you.
- For longer absences, you can have your mail held at the Post Office by requesting this service online.
- If valuable mail such as checks doesn’t arrive, immediately reach out to the issuing agency.
- It’s also crucial to update your address with the Post Office and any businesses you regularly correspond with to avoid potential issues.
- Lastly, for outgoing mail, it’s safer to hand it directly to your letter carrier or deposit it inside your local Post Office for added security.
Source: U.S. Postal Inspector
Naturalization is where those born outside America can apply for citizenship.
Cops said he responded no to questions about alleged criminal activity. Muchimba became a citizen in 2022.
In September 2023, he tried to leave the US after buying a ticket to Zambia.
He was arrested at Washington Dulles airport.
Cops learned that Muchimba used a card that was not in his name to buy the plane ticket.
Investigators also discovered around $2,000 worth of cash in his bag.
Muchimba was hit with a raft of charges, including bank fraud and conspiracy to commit theft of mail and bank fraud.
On March 13, he was found guilty by a jury and is to be sentenced on August 8.
He could face up to 30 years in prison for the bank fraud charge.
Muchimba could be slapped with a five-year prison sentence for the mail theft charge.
He could face a 10-year prison sentence for providing false information to immigration officials.
He will remain in custody until his sentencing.
The USPS has shared steps for residents who think they may be a victim of mail theft.
Homeowners can complete an online form to report potential cases of mail theft.
The form can be used by residents who suspect parcels or letters with or without a tracking number might have been stolen.
Residents should pick up packages promptly and avoid leaving parcels on their doorstep for a lengthy time.
Homeowners should never send cash in the mail and are encouraged to collect packages at the post office.
Homeowners can also report mailbox vandalism to their local police force.
