On May 31, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced two convictions in an alleged “wide-ranging scheme” involving the use of stolen identities and fraudulent tax returns used to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of $111 million.
The government claims that from 2018 to 2021, Abraham Yusuff of Round Rock, TX, led a “stolen-identity-refund-fraud scheme” by conspiring with others, including Meghan Inyang of San Antonio, Christopher Eduardo of Round Rock, Christian Mathurin of Nashville, Tennessee, Dillon Anozie of San Antonio, Babajide Ogunbanjo of Austin, and Aydin Mammadov of Houston. According to the DOJ, the group of individuals conspired to obtain fraudulent refunds by using stolen information to pose as authorized agents of multiple taxpayers before directing the IRS to split the refunds among several prepaid debit cards.
The obtained funds were purportedly laundered through various methods, including the purchase of money orders from local stores in amounts designed to avoid triggering reporting requirements. The funds were then used to purchase goods and services.
Yusuff pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Inyang pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.
In addition, the five other individuals previously pleaded guilty to their involvement: Mammadov, Ogunbanjo, Eduardo, and Anozie each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Mathurin pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the filing of a false tax return.
Each of the defendants faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Yusuff also faces a mandatory penalty of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft, to be served consecutively. Mathurin faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison for aiding and assisting in the filing of a false tax return. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The attorneys at Chilivis Grubman represent clients of all types and sizes in connection with federal criminal investigations. If you need assistance with such a matter, please contact us today.
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