Former Deutsche Bank Exec Sentenced for Fraudulent Schemes

As a researcher with a background in financial crimes, I find the cases of Rashawn Russell and David Kagel deeply concerning. The extent of their deceit and the harm they have caused to innocent individuals is truly disheartening.


Rashawn Russell, a 28-year-old ex-investment banker at Deutsche Bank, was handed a 41-month prison sentence by the Eastern New York District Court in Brooklyn for his involvement in fraudulent activities. These offenses included operating a Ponzi-like scheme related to cryptocurrencies and committing access device fraud separately. In lieu of his incarceration, Russell is required to compensate the affected victims with a total of $1.5 million.

As an analyst, I would rephrase this by saying: According to the prosecution’s argument, I, Russell, reportedly encouraged my acquaintances, classmates, and past coworkers to put their money into my business and digital asset project, promising substantial returns for their investment.

Some investors were informed they would receive a 25% refund, while others received as much as 100% through deceitful promises. Regardless, funds from the latest investors were allocated towards returning money to the initial backers and settling personal debts, including gambling obligations.

As a researcher studying criminal activities between September 2021 and June 2023, I discovered that Russell obtained at least 97 credit and debit cards and 43 identification documents through fraudulent means using other people’s information. He primarily stole these items from gym lockers in New York and New Jersey and utilized them to execute unauthorized transactions.

From 2018 to 2021, Russell was employed in the financial institutions division at Deutsche Bank. Unfortunately, during this period, he continued with his illicit activities which eventually led to his arrest in April 2023.

Read More

2024-05-31 12:20