A Florida resident has been sentenced to five years in prison for his involvement in a check fraud scheme operated through the messaging platform Telegram. This announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Patrick Davis.
Gabriel Samuel Odiot, aged 21, from Kissimmee, Florida, received his sentence from U.S. District Court Judge Madeline Haikala. In addition to the 60-month prison term, Odiot has been ordered to forfeit $84,000. He had previously pleaded guilty in December 2024 to charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, as well as aggravated identity theft.
Court documents reveal that between August 2022 and March 2023, Odiot managed a Telegram channel named “RICH OFF PLAYS,” which facilitated fraudulent check negotiations. Through this channel, he recruited mail carriers and advertised services of bank insiders while collaborating with others to execute bank fraud. Odiot frequently shared images and videos on the channel showcasing stolen checks, transaction receipts, and substantial amounts of cash. These materials often bore his nickname "Motion."
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service with support from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Heflin Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Canter handled the prosecution.
