Missouri – A New York resident admitted in federal court to orchestrating an elaborate scheme that targeted banks in Missouri with fraudulent auto loan applications, the Department of Justice announced in a press release earlier this week.
Theo D. Cooke, 34, entered a guilty plea before Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to a single count of bank fraud. The charge stems from a series of online loan applications Cooke submitted over several months in early 2023, each designed to steal money from banks using stolen personal information.
Court documents show that Cooke used the identity of another individual—complete with the victim’s name, birth date, and social security number—to apply for automobile loans through local financial institutions. But he didn’t stop at the application. Prosecutors say he took steps to make his scam appear legitimate, creating and submitting a bundle of forged documents. These included a fake certificate of title for a vehicle, a counterfeit pay stub, and a fabricated Missouri auto insurance card, all in the name of the unsuspecting victim.
Once he secured approval for these loans, Cooke traveled to a bank branch to sign paperwork finalizing the deal. In a particularly brazen move, he used a driver’s license that showed his own photo, but all the identifying details—name, address, and other personal data—matched the stolen identity. That allowed him to sign security agreements and promissory notes, making the transaction appear entirely above-board to bank employees.
Investigators found that Cooke ran his operation between January and May 2023, managing to victimize several financial institutions in Missouri. Banks paid out at least $199,000 in automobile loans based on his fraudulent activity. The scheme only came to light after irregularities in the applications triggered further scrutiny, leading to a federal investigation.
Cooke now faces up to 30 years in federal prison without the possibility of parole, as mandated under federal law for bank fraud. However, his final sentence will be determined by Judge Phillips, who will weigh the federal sentencing guidelines and findings from a presentence investigation conducted by the United States Probation Office. The date for Cooke’s sentencing hearing has not yet been set.
Read also: Outdoor Dining Enhancement Program helps KCMO restaurants shine on global stage
The prosecution of the case is being handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley Cooper, and the investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. No further details about the investigation or whether additional charges might be forthcoming have been released.
