IC cash advance employee accused of defrauding company by creating fake loans

Lang
11/19/22

An employee at an Iowa City cash advance company is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from the business by creating fake loans.

Iowa City Police say the scheme saw 35-year-old Niastarra Conley of Marion create fraudulent loans in the names of her friends and family while working at Advance America on 1st Avenue between December of 2021 and January of 2022. The loan recipients would reportedly close down their accounts after receiving the money, preventing Advance America from recouping the debt. Conley allegedly falsified employment history and financial information when creating the loans.

Investigators say Conley created at least 22 fraudulent accounts, and believe she may have made over 40. The 22 confirmed loans totaled $7,430. She’s now charged with Tampering With Records and 2nd Degree Theft. If convicted on both charges, she faces a maximum of seven years in prison.