Uniondale Woman Sentenced for $75K Bank Loan Fraud

Janelle DeFreitas used fake identities and forged documents to secure business loans from Dime Bank branches on Long Island.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 6:34pm

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Janelle DeFreitas, a Uniondale resident, was sentenced to 4 to 8 years in prison for a scheme to fraudulently obtain a $75,000 business loan from Dime Bank. Between June 2021 and January 2022, DeFreitas used fake identities, forged documents, and straw borrowers to open multiple business accounts and apply for over $400,000 in loans at Dime Bank branches in Queens, Garden City, and Westbury. She was convicted of grand larceny and criminal possession of a forged instrument.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing problem of financial fraud, particularly targeting smaller regional banks, and the challenges they face in verifying the legitimacy of loan applicants and business documents. It also raises concerns about repeat offenders and the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in deterring such crimes.

The details

According to prosecutors, DeFreitas would visit Dime Bank branches with an accomplice, open business accounts using fake identities and forged incorporation documents, and then apply for business loans. In one instance, she obtained a $75,000 loan by providing a forged bank statement. She then withdrew $45,000 from the account to pay personal debts. Overall, DeFreitas was connected to 5 account openings and 6 unsuccessful loan applications at Dime Bank branches across Long Island.

  • On June 29, 2021, DeFreitas and another person applied for over $400,000 in business loans at a Dime Bank branch in Queens.
  • On Aug. 19, 2021, DeFreitas attempted to obtain a $100,000 business loan at a Dime Bank branch in Garden City.
  • On Aug. 27, 2021, a $75,000 loan application for a company called Katrina the Movie 1 Inc. was approved and funded on Aug. 30, 2021.
  • On Sept. 23, 2021 and Jan. 18, 2022, DeFreitas conducted similar schemes at a Webster Bank location and a Dime Bank branch in Westbury.
  • DeFreitas was arrested on Dec. 12, 2023.

The players

Janelle DeFreitas

A Uniondale resident who was convicted of grand larceny and criminal possession of a forged instrument for a scheme to fraudulently obtain a $75,000 business loan from Dime Bank.

Dime Bank

A regional bank that was targeted by DeFreitas in her fraudulent loan scheme, with multiple branches in Queens, Garden City, and Westbury.

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What they’re saying

“This case highlights the growing problem of financial fraud, particularly targeting smaller regional banks, and the challenges they face in verifying the legitimacy of loan applicants and business documents.”

— Unidentified Prosecutor

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether to allow DeFreitas to be released on bail pending her appeal.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for banks to implement robust fraud detection measures and for the criminal justice system to impose strict sentences that deter repeat offenders from exploiting vulnerabilities in the financial system.