A US Postal Service worker in Washington, DC, has been accused of stealing approximately USD 1.7 million from local residents in one of the largest cases of theft in the city's history, according to court documents cited by Wtopnews. The accused, identified as Hachikosela Khose Muchimba, allegedly deposited 98 misappropriated checks into multiple bank accounts, with at least 90 of them being US Treasury checks. This sophisticated scheme involved altering checks and adding Muchimba's name and address before depositing them via mobile apps. The investigation revealed that Muchimba had been employed as a mail carrier since February 2020 and had been assigned to the route in question since January 2021.

Law enforcement officials discovered more than USD 400,000 in deposited funds into an Olney, Maryland bank account during a search warrant served on March 29. Prosecutors were able to connect Muchimba to the fraudulent checks after a person noticed that the name on an altered check matched holiday cards provided by the postal worker to residents the previous December. Surveillance photographs also captured Muchimba making withdrawals from local ATMs totaling up to USD 1,000, while dressed in USPS clothing. The US Postal Service Inspector General confirmed an ongoing investigation, while a representative for USPS stated that Muchimba remains on the rolls of the postal service.

However, filings from the attorney general referred to Muchimba as a "former postal service employee." The case has raised concerns about the security of the Postal Service and has prompted the organization to implement additional security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The accused postal worker is currently in custody and faces multiple charges, including mail fraud, identity theft, and bank fraud. If convicted, Muchimba could potentially receive a significant prison sentence and hefty fines. The incident has left residents feeling vulnerable and questioning the safety of their mail, highlighting the importance of remaining vigilant, particularly in the digital age.