Two San Diego Men Arrested for Impersonating FBI Agents

FBI Warns Public of Falling Victim to the Bank Examiner Scam

The FBI is announcing the arrest of two San Diego men arrested on charges of impersonating FBI agents as part of a scheme to defraud. Nenad Videnovic, age 22, and Brian John Murphy, age 33, both of San Diego, were arrested by FBI agents earlier this week and have been charged with violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Section 912, false personation, officer or employee of the United States.

Nenad Videnovic was arrested by FBI agents on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at approximately 9:15 a.m. in the Ocean Beach area of San Diego. Brian John Murphy was arrested later that same day at approximately 8:20 p.m. in the Mission Bay area of San Diego.

According to the complaint filed in this matter with the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, Videnovic and Murphy were allegedly impersonating FBI agents in an attempt to defraud a San Diego woman out of more than $200,000.

According to the complaint, on Friday, March 23, 2012, Videnovic and Murphy allegedly contacted the victim at her residence and represented themselves as FBI agents. Both men identified themselves to the victim as FBI agents and one displayed what appeared to be FBI credentials and a gold badge. The men told the victim that she was the victim of a fraudulent scheme by her bank and asked her to withdraw money from her account and turn the money over to them so that they could put tracers on the money to find out who was defrauding her. In discussions with Videnovic and Murphy, the victim became suspicious of the two and requested additional information concerning their FBI employment. One of the men provided a business card with false FBI contact information. The victim was suspicious of both men, but indicated she was willing to assist them.

Later that same day, the victim filed a report with the San Diego Police Department concerning this suspicious activity. The responding San Diego Police Department Officer telephonically contacted the FBI San Diego Field Office and determined the name given by one of the men was not accurate and advise the victim of this information.

On Saturday, March 24, 2012, both men allegedly returned to the victim’s residence to collect the money. The victim advised that she did not have the money and indicated she needed more time. Following this visit, the victim contacted the SDPD and the FBI San Diego Field Office. Based upon the victim’s report, the FBI initiated an investigation into this matter. On Sunday, March 25, 2012, Videnovic allegedly contacted the victim again in an effort to collect the money.

On Tuesday, March 27, 2012, Videnovic was arrested by FBI agents as Videnovic was making contact with the victim at her residence. Subsequent investigation by FBI agents identified Brian J. Murphy as Videnovic’s accomplice, and he was arrested later the same day. Both men remain in custody at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC).

The FBI would like to remind the public of this particular scam and how it works. The bank examiner scam occurs when someone representing themselves as a bank official or a law enforcement officer tells you they are working an investigation of thefts by a bank employee and need your help to catch the dishonest employee. The victim is convinced to withdraw money and hand it over to the purported investigator to assist in the investigation. The purported investigator usually states that the money needs to be checked for serial numbers or examined for fingerprints or some other reason. Once the purported investigator has the money, they are never seen again. If you are approached by someone claiming to be a bank examiner or other official requesting you to remove money from your account(s), call law enforcement and your bank immediately. Never give large sums of money to a stranger. The elderly are the primary targets of this scam.

If anyone believes they are a victim of this particular scheme they may contact the FBI at 858-565-1255 or submit a tip electronically at https://tips.fbi.gov. This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

An arrest itself is not evidence that the defendants committed crimes charged. The defendants are presumed innocent until the government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.