During an hour-long interview with the Daily-News, Ali-Shabazz claimed he was born in Australia, but had dual citizenship because his father is American. He said his uncle, Robert Cooper, got him a job working on a city council election, earning $15 an hour. While working on the election, a co-worker asked if he was interested in making some fast cash and introduced him to a friend, Ali-Shabazz claimed. He eventually met up with Darryl, Orlando and Jason, who asked to meet him at the Sovereign branch. Ali-Shabazz had faxed them copies of his passport and social security number. Ali-Shabazz told the Daily-News he signed papers in front of a bank worker, thinking he was just opening up an account. However the trio then continued to ask him to withdraw money, and he became suspicious. "I thought I was in too deep," Ali-Shabazz said. Mr Cooper, his uncle, said his nephew was a "good kid" and the whole situation was "a mind blower." At his arraignment, defence attorney Susan Costigan said there were other people involved in the scheme who forced Ali-Shabazz to participate. AAP with smh.com.au