Stanley Mark Rifkin
Encyclopedia
Stanley Mark Rifkin is a convicted criminal in the United States
responsible for stealing $10.2 million dollars through wire transfer
via telephone in the autumn of 1978. At the time, it was the largest bank robbery in U.S. history.
techniques, he then made a few phone calls and had $10.2 million dollars wired to the Irving Trust Company in New York
for the credit of the Wozchod Handels Bank of Zurich in Switzerland
, where he'd already set up an account.
Having previously set up a diamond transaction, he picked up 43200 carats (8.6 kg) in diamonds from a Russian agency, which he had purchased for USD 8.1 million. He flew back into the United States
and began selling the diamonds, but a business associate that he was using tipped him off to the FBI. He was captured shortly after, just before midnight on November 5.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
responsible for stealing $10.2 million dollars through wire transfer
Wire transfer
Wire transfer or credit transfer is a method of electronic funds transfer from one person or institution to another. A wire transfer can be made from one bank account to another bank account or through a transfer of cash at a cash office...
via telephone in the autumn of 1978. At the time, it was the largest bank robbery in U.S. history.
Security Pacific National Bank heist
Working for a company under contract to develop a backup system for the Security Pacific National Bank wire room, Rifkin learned of the transfer procedures used, and found that bank agents would frequently write down the daily transfer code. One day in mid-October 1978, he made his way into the transfer room, saw the code, memorized it and walked out. Using social engineeringSocial engineering (security)
Social engineering is commonly understood to mean the art of manipulating people into performing actions or divulging confidential information...
techniques, he then made a few phone calls and had $10.2 million dollars wired to the Irving Trust Company in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
for the credit of the Wozchod Handels Bank of Zurich in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, where he'd already set up an account.
Having previously set up a diamond transaction, he picked up 43200 carats (8.6 kg) in diamonds from a Russian agency, which he had purchased for USD 8.1 million. He flew back into the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and began selling the diamonds, but a business associate that he was using tipped him off to the FBI. He was captured shortly after, just before midnight on November 5.