Pursue customers accused of using viral ‘money glitch’ to steal $660,000

• JPMorgan Chase has filed four lawsuits in federal court against two people and two companies alleging check fraud related to a “glitch” that went viral on social media
• One person in Texas who allegedly participated in the scheme now owes the bank $290,000, according to the complaint
• “We are investigating these cases and actively working with law enforcement to ensure that if anyone commits fraud against Chase and its customers, they are held accountable,” a JPMorgan spokesperson told PEOPLE.

JPMorgan Chase is suing customers over alleged check fraud, claiming they stole hundreds of thousands of dollars after a technical “glitch” that went viral on TikTok.

On Monday, October 28, the banking giant filed four lawsuits in federal courts in California, Florida and Texas. Reuters reported He charged two people and two businesses with keeping more than $661,000 after they allegedly deposited forged or forged checks.

“Glitch”, which happened in August, reports Reuters and NBC Newsallowed customers to deposit large checks at ATMs and then make quick withdrawals before the checks could be cashed or bounced, a trend that became popular on social media, CNBC reported

According to one complaint filed in Texas and reviewed by PEOPLE, JPMorgan Chase alleged that a “masked man” deposited a $335,000 check at a Chase ATM in Houston on Aug. 29.

“After the check was deposited, (the customer) quickly began withdrawing the vast majority of the illegally obtained funds,” the complaint states. “Eventually the check was returned as a fake, resulting in a significant negative balance. As of the filing date, (he) owes Chase $290,939.47.”

JPMorgan Chase’s complaint said it contacted the customer about the forged check and overdraft, but did not respond. In this regard, the bank demands a decision on the immediate payment of funds and overdraft fees.

Meanwhile, according to a California court filing seen by PEOPLE, JPMorgan Chase said a Los Angeles-based defendant owed the bank $90,794 after he allegedly deposited two checks on Aug. 27 and 28 for $59,223.45 and $56 $840.10 at ATM. and then made large withdrawals. The checks were rejected by the issuing bank and “returned as counterfeit.”

In another complaint filed in Florida and reviewed by PEOPLE, the defendant was accused of depositing a fraudulent check into a Chase bank account for $149,000.00 at an ATM on August 23rd.

“Specifically, three days later, Defendant personally transferred $110,000.00 to a third party,” the complaint states. “On the same day, the defendant made three more personal withdrawals from the same branch in the amount of $5,000.00, $9,900, and $10,000. By making additional withdrawals, the Defendant effectively depleted his account of all funds deposited from the fraudulent check.” In the complaint, the bank stated that the defendant now owes $141,295.84.

In another similar case, also filed in Florida, JPMorgan Chase alleged in the complaint that an individual deposited two checks for $75,000.00 and $245,999.12 at a Chase ATM on August 28 and 29. This person “began to list significant amounts of patients.” – withdrew funds from his account.”

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“Eventually, the checks were returned as counterfeit, resulting in a significant negative balance,” the complaint added. As of the filing date, Defendant owes Chase $138,680.91.”

As in the Texas case, JPMorgan Chase is seeking overdraft fees and other related fees from the defendants in the California and Florida cases, according to the complaints.

JPMorgan is investigating multiple cases related to the “infinite money glitch.”

In a statement provided to PEOPLE on Wednesday, Oct. 30, a JPMorgan Chase spokesperson said of the bank’s lawsuit: “Fraud is a crime that affects everyone and undermines trust in the banking system. We are investigating these cases and actively working with law enforcement to ensure that if anyone commits fraud against Chase and its customers, they are held accountable.”

PEOPLE reached out to three of the four defendants named in the complaints.