Former Ameris Banker Accused of Helping Route Customer Funds
A former Georgia banker is facing federal charges after prosecutors alleged that she used customer banking information to help transfer approximately $931,500 from Ameris Bank accounts to Coinbase accounts controlled by alleged co-conspirators.
The defendant, Mercedes Henry, 35, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, previously worked as a universal banker at multiple Ameris Bank locations in the Atlanta area. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, prosecutors allege that Henry used account numbers and other identifying information belonging to six Ameris customers to connect their bank accounts with accounts at Coinbase.
The alleged activity occurred on at least six occasions between September and November 2021, according to the indictment information released by federal prosecutors. The Justice Department said Henry allegedly received more than $1,000 for participating in the scheme.
Prosecutors Allege Customer Information Was Used for Transfers
According to the Justice Department, the Coinbase accounts involved in the alleged transactions were controlled by Henry’s co-conspirators. Prosecutors claim that Henry used information available to her through her banking position to facilitate transfers from customers’ accounts.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said the alleged scheme involved sensitive customer information and fraudulent transfers totaling nearly $1 million. The Justice Department stated that Henry and her alleged co-conspirators caused approximately $931,500 to be transferred from victims’ Ameris Bank accounts to Coinbase accounts under their control.
The case highlights how traditional banking information can become part of a cryptocurrency-related fraud scheme. In this instance, prosecutors allege that the activity began with access to customers’ bank account information rather than with a direct attack on Coinbase users.
Henry Faces Three Federal Charges
Henry faces charges of bank fraud, access device fraud and bribery. A federal grand jury returned the indictment on September 22, 2026, and Henry appeared in federal court on September 25 following her arrest, according to the Justice Department.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Cathelynn Tio is prosecuting. FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Marlo Graham said the allegations involved money being taken directly from consumers’ bank accounts.
Importantly, the charges remain allegations. The Justice Department explicitly states that an indictment contains accusations rather than findings of guilt, and Henry is presumed innocent unless the government proves the charges beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
Coinbase Has Appeared in Other Crypto Fraud Investigations
The allegations against Henry are separate from other criminal cases in which Coinbase accounts or cryptocurrency exchanges were allegedly used to move or acquire illicit funds.
The distinction is important because cryptocurrency exchanges can appear at different points in fraud investigations. In the Georgia case, prosecutors allege that bank account information was used to facilitate transfers into Coinbase accounts controlled by the alleged conspirators. Other cases have involved victims being directly deceived into transferring cryptocurrency or criminals using crypto exchanges to convert or move funds.
Coinbase maintains procedures for customers who discover unauthorized transactions. Its official guidance recommends reporting an unrecognized transaction promptly, gathering relevant transaction details and contacting Coinbase Support. Coinbase also advises customers to contact local authorities when an unrecognized third party has removed funds from an account.
What Consumers Should Know About Unauthorized Transfers
The legal protections surrounding unauthorized electronic transfers can depend on how a transaction occurred and how quickly it was reported. In the United States, Regulation E establishes rules governing consumer liability for certain unauthorized electronic fund transfers.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Regulation E guidance says consumer liability can depend on factors including the type of transfer and when the consumer notifies the financial institution. The regulation contains different liability limits based on circumstances and reporting timelines.
The CFPB also explains that when a third party fraudulently obtains account access information and uses it to initiate an electronic fund transfer, the transfer can qualify as an unauthorized electronic fund transfer under Regulation E. The specific legal protections depend on the circumstances of the transaction.
Why the Case Matters for Crypto and Banking
The allegations demonstrate one way traditional financial accounts and cryptocurrency platforms can intersect in financial crime investigations. While Coinbase provides a venue for buying and selling digital assets, the alleged activity in this case began with information connected to customers’ conventional bank accounts.
For consumers, the case also underscores the importance of monitoring bank and exchange statements for unfamiliar activity. Coinbase recommends promptly reporting unauthorized transactions, while federal consumer-protection rules establish procedures and potential liability limits for certain unauthorized electronic transfers.
The case will now proceed through the federal criminal justice system. The September 2026 indictment establishes the allegations against Henry, but the government still bears the burden of proving the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. Further court proceedings will determine how the allegations develop.
