Fake Bank Records Are Readily Available as U.S. Hunts for Fraud

For anyone who wants a phony pay stub or doctored tax return, an easy source is just a click away.

A website called banknovelties.com claims it can provide “fake bank statements” as well as “fake pay stubs,” “fake utility bills” and “fake US tax returns (1040).” They’re readily available for as low as $50 each.

It may seem like a joke. But as the U.S. government pursues billions of dollars in fraud tied to Congress’s pandemic-relief measures, a common thread has emerged: The people who stole taxpayer money did it using bogus documents. And those are easily obtained on websites ...