Seattle woman pleads guilty in nationwide bank fraud, identity scheme
Mar 5, 2025, 2:00 PM
A Chase Bank branch location in downtown Seattle location. (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
A 36-year-old Seattle woman has pleaded guilty in a $1.4 million nationwide bank fraud and identity scheme.
Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced this week that Amber Towndrow has admitted to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering.
Towndrow and Darby Canfield, 35, face a recommended prison sentence of up to eight years. A hearing is set for June in U.S. District Court.
Court records show that Towndrow and her co-conspirators used personal information from at least 19 victims nationwide to open business bank accounts linked to the victims’ existing personal accounts. Funds were then transferred to business accounts, which were used to purchase orders and high-value goods.
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Bank fraud was found in several states
The scheme spanned multiple states, including Washington. Towndrow admitted to opening at least 50 business bank accounts and attempting to obtain $1.4 million. She was able to get over $600,000.
One case involved an Illinois victim whose identity was used to register a company in Colorado. Towndrow opened a business account at a Chase branch in Seattle, transferring $131,709 from the victim’s account and purchasing 128 U.S. Postal Service money orders totaling $126,653. A similar fraud was committed against a Texas victim, resulting in a loss of $75,000.
The Seattle Police Department, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Diplomatic Security Service are investigating the case.
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