Tag Archives: identity theft

ICE and PRPD Target Operation Arrests 13 for Identity Theft and Document Fraud in Puerto Rico

November 27, 2012blogarrest, CBP PRPD, criminal alien, DHS, document fraud, fraudulent tax returns, HSI, ICE, identity theft, illegal alien, illegal immigration, immigration fraud, IRS, Puerto Rico, SJPD, Social Security Card, tax fraudAlex Meyerovich

Thirteen individuals indicted for document fraud and identity theft related charges were arrested Friday, November 16, 2012, in the municipalities of Bayamon, San Juan, and Carolina, Puerto Rico. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents, worked jointly with the Internal Revenue Service, Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) and San Juan Police Department (SJPD) officers in an operation dubbed Game Over.

“Document and identity fraud pose a severe threat to national security and public safety because they create a vulnerability that may enable terrorists, criminals and illegal aliens to gain entry to and remain in theUnited States,” said Angel Melendez, acting special agent in charge of HSI San Juan. “HSI has partnered with federal, state and local counterparts to create the Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force, a series of multi-agency teams developed to target criminal organizations and beneficiaries behind these fraudulent schemes.”

The case involves a scheme to defraud the United States by fraudulently obtaining and converting to cash U.S. Treasury checks issued in connection with fraudulent tax returns filed with the agency. As part of the scheme, tax returns were filed using the personal identifying information of individuals, when in reality, said individuals never filed such tax returns with the IRS. The investigation has revealed that the fraudulent tax returns were filed without the consent of the taxpayers who appear in the returns.

The investigation also uncovered a scheme used by some of the defendants to obtain legitimate, counterfeit or altered Puerto Rico birth certificates, Social Security cards and driver’s licenses to facilitate the movement of illegal aliens already in Puerto Rico to the continental United States.

Those arrested are:

Alexander Compres-Rubio
Raquel Custodio
Jose M. Vega-Rivera
Fernando Rosa
Nidia Muñoz
Eduvigis Rodriguez
Salustiano Olivo
Damaris Hernandez
Jose Javier Serrano
Wander Carrasco
Mercedes de la Cruz
Norwin Santana
Julio Peralta

ICE encourages the public to report document and benefit fraud and related information by calling 1-866-DHS-2ICE.

Nigerian Man Sentenced for Stealing Murder Victim’s Identity

September 18, 2012blogarrest, citizenship fraud, convicted felon, criminal alien, detention, document fraud, guilty plea, homicide, HSI, ICE, identity theft, immigration fraud, murder, sentencingAlex Meyerovich

A Nigerian man, who came to the U.S. in 1989 and assumed the identity of a murder victim to remain in the country illegally, has pleaded guilty to exhibiting a false government document. This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s Office of Inspector General, the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice and the New Jersey State Police.

Bimbo Peter Oyewole, 54, of Elizabeth, N.J., pleaded guilty to the third-degree offense, before Superior Court Judge Peter V. Ryan in Essex County, N.J.

“Document fraud poses a significant threat to both national security and public safety,” said Andrew McLees, special agent in charge of HSI Newark. “HSI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and other critical infrastructures in protecting the American public.”

According to court documents, Oyewole admitted that he used the name, date of birth and Social Security number of a man named Jerry E. Thomas, who was murdered in Queens, N.Y., in 1992, to obtain an airport security ID card, called a Secure Identification Display Area Card (SIDA). Oyewole used the SIDA card as a supervisor for FJC Security Services, a private firm contracted to staff vehicle access gates and provide other security services at EWR. The card gave him access to secure areas, including the tarmac and airplanes.

“The Port Authority moved swiftly to arrest this defendant and remove him from his security position at the airport when they learned he was using a false identity,” said Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa. “My office, in turn, worked closely with the Port Authority’s Office of Inspector General, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the New York City Police to investigate him, ensure he was not a threat to national security, and prosecute him for his crime.”

“Whatever the motive, it’s a serious crime to falsify government documents, particularly when it involves identity theft and issues of public security,” said Stephen J. Taylor, director of the Division of Criminal Justice. “This defendant has rightly faced serious consequences. By the time he is sentenced, he will have spent roughly six months in custody and he will be a convicted felon.”

Port Authority Inspector General Robert E. Van Etten said, “Today’s conviction will serve notice to all that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will not tolerate fraud or any other criminal misconduct at its facilities. The Port Authority Office of Inspector General and its law enforcement partners will aggressively identify, investigate and bring to justice those who corrupt the integrity and security of our airports and facilities. I wish to thank the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and all of our law enforcement partners for their invaluable assistance, participation and contribution to this investigation.”

Oyewole entered the U.S. in January 1989 on a temporary work visa. He began using Jerry E. Thomas’ identity several weeks before Thomas was murdered on July 20, 1992. Thomas was shot outside a YMCA in Queens where he was staying. Oyewole used his identity to obtain a New Jersey driver’s license and high school equivalency diploma. He also obtained employment in Thomas’ name, holding security jobs at EWR under several private contractors.

Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that Oyewole be sentenced to a term of probation. Oyewole is scheduled for sentencing October 19.

Oyewole came into ICE custody September 11 and is in removal proceedings. He is being detained in an ICE detention facility pending an immigration hearing before an immigration judge.

Criminal Alien Pleads Guilty to Immigration Fraud, Identity Theft of U.S. Citizen

September 11, 2012blogarrest, CBP, criminal alien, deportation, detention, ERO, guilty plea, HSI, ICE, identity theft, illegal alien, illegal reentry, immigration fraud, removal, Social Security Card, US Passport, voter fraudAlex Meyerovich

A previously deported criminal alien pleaded guilty Thursday, September 6, 2012, in federal court to illegally voting in the 2008 presidential election using the name of a U.S. citizen whose identity he assumed more than two decades ago.

Ricardo Lopez-Munguia, 45, of Escondido, pleaded guilty to three felony counts of voter fraud, making a false claim to U.S. citizenship and illegal reentry after deportation. The charges are the result of a probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Lopez faces a maximum penalty of 28 years in prison when he is sentenced November 19. Upon completion of his sentence, Lopez will be deported to Mexico.

As part of his guilty plea, Lopez admitted he was convicted of two drug trafficking offenses involving heroin in 1986. In 1987, an immigration judge ordered Lopez deported as an aggravated felon. Lopez admitted he subsequently assumed the identity of a U.S. citizen, which he used to illegally reenter the United States, obtain a Social Security card and a U.S. passport, and to vote.

“Our unique, broad authorities serve to protect the public from widespread exploitation by fraudsters who never seem to know when to quit,” said Derek Benner, special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “Whether we’re protecting the integrity of the legal immigration system, rooting out voter fraud or uncovering identity theft, HSI is committed to aggressively investigating fraud that undermines our nation’s bedrock institutions.”

As part of a collaborative operation in July, officers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection took Lopez into custody at the San Ysidro port of entry.

Two Plead Guilty for Identity Fraud Scheme

July 30, 2012blogarrest, China, credit card fraud, FBI, financial fraud, guilty plea, HSI, ICE, identity fraud, identity theft, IRS, Social Security CardAlex Meyerovich

Two individuals pleaded guilty and four others were sentenced in Newark federal court in connection with their roles in a large-scale identity theft scheme.

The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents along with agents of the FBI, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation, and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.

According to court documents, Sang-Hyun Park, aka “Jimmy,” was the leader of a criminal enterprise that operated in Bergen County, N.J., and elsewhere, that engaged in identity theft and financial fraud. Park pleaded guilty Jan. 9, 2012, and is awaiting sentencing. Park and his co-conspirators obtained Social Security cards beginning with “586.” These Social Security cards were issued by the United States to individuals, usually from China, who were employed in American territories. The enterprise sold these Social Security cards, together with genuinely issued or counterfeit driver’s licenses, to its customers for a fee. Members of the enterprise engaged in the fraudulent “build-up” of credit scores associated with the Chinese identities. They did so by adding the Chinese identity as an authorized user to the credit card accounts of various co-conspirators who received a fee for this service – members of the enterprise’s credit build-up teams. By attaching the Chinese identities to these existing credit card accounts, the teams increased the credit scores associated with the Chinese identities to between 700 and 800. After building the credit associated with these identities, Park and his co-conspirators directed, coached and assisted his customers to open bank accounts and obtain credit cards. Park and his co-conspirators then used these accounts and credit cards to commit fraud. In particular, Park relied on several collusive merchants who possessed credit card processing, or swipe, machines. For a fee, known as a “kkang fee,” these collusive merchants charged the fraudulently obtained credit cards, although no transaction took place. After receiving the money into their merchant accounts from the credit cards related to these fraudulent transactions, the collusive merchants gave the money to Park and his co-conspirators, minus their “kkang fee.”

Hyo-II Song, aka “Daniel”, 49, of Fort Lee, N.J., was sentenced Friday, July 27, 2012, to 65 months in prison, ordered to pay $1.08 million in restitution and sentenced to three years supervised release. Song pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Katharine Hayden Feb. 10, 2012, to a three-count Information that charged him with unlawfully producing identification documents, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Hyun-Yop Sung, aka “James”, 43, of Carlstadt, N.J., was sentenced by Judge Hayden to 45 months in prison, ordered to pay $145,576.27 in restitution and sentenced to three years supervised release.

Sung pleaded guilty Jan. 25, 2012, to a two-count Information that charged him with conspiracy to unlawfully produce an identification document and commit credit card fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Young-Hee Ju, aka “Stephanie,” 43, of Closter, N.J., pleaded guilty before Judge Hayden to an Information charging her with conspiracy to unlawfully produce identification documents and counterfeit identification documents, credit card fraud and aggravated identity theft. Ju faces a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison on count one and a two-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment on count two. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 8, 2012.

Alex S. Lee, 44, of Palisades Park, N.J., was sentenced by Judge Hayden to six months home confinement, three years probation and ordered to pay $118,891 in restitution. Lee pleaded guilty Feb. 6, 2012, to an Information charging him with conspiracy to unlawfully produce an identification document and false identification document, credit card fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Yong Kim Lee, 57, of Linden, N.J., pleaded guilty to an Information that charged her with conspiracy to unlawfully produce identification documents and counterfeit identification documents, credit card fraud and aggravated identity theft. Lee faces a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 8, 2012.

Kang-Hyok Choi, of Valley Stream, N.Y., was sentenced by Judge Hayden to 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to an Indictment charging him with credit card fraud. Choi is currently serving a 75-year sentence in New Jersey related to a triple homicide, and his federal time was ordered to run concurrent with his state time.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Dominican Republic National Arrested for Identity Theft

June 21, 2012blogCBP, criminal alien, DHS, document fraud, dominican republic, HSI, ICE, identity fraud, identity theft, illegal alien, immigration fraudAlex Meyerovich

A 49-year-old Dominican Republic man wanted for document fraud and identity theft was arrested early the week of June 14, 2012, at the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working jointly with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents.

Victor Manuel Rivera, at large since January, is one of 50 individuals indicted by a federal grand jury for their alleged participation in a conspiracy to commit identification fraud in connection with a scheme to traffic the identities of Puerto Rican U.S. citizens and their corresponding identity documents. The charges are the result of an extensive investigation led by HSI in partnership with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

The indictment, unsealed Jan. 11, alleges that from at least April 2009 to December 2011, conspirators in 15 states and Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, trafficked the identities of Puerto Rican U.S. citizens, corresponding Social Security cards, Puerto Rico birth certificates and other identification documents to undocumented aliens and others residing in the United States.

The indictment alleges that conspirators located in the Savarona area of Caguas, Puerto Rico, (Savarona suppliers) obtained the Puerto Rican identities and corresponding identity documents. Conspirators in various locations throughout the United States (identity brokers) solicited customers. The identity brokers allegedly sold Social Security cards and corresponding Puerto Rico birth certificates for prices ranging from $700 to $2,500 per set. The indictment alleges that identity brokers ordered the identity documents from Savarona suppliers, on behalf of the customers, by making coded telephone calls, including using terms such as “shirts,” “uniforms” or “clothes,” to refer to identity documents. Specifically, the brokers asked for “skirts” for female customers and “pants” for male customers in various “sizes,” which referred to the ages of the identities sought by the customers.

According to the indictment, the Savarona suppliers generally requested that customers’ initial payments be sent by the identity brokers through a money transfer service to persons whose names were provided by the Savarona suppliers. Savarona suppliers allegedly retrieved the payments from the money transfer service and then sent the identity documents to the brokers using express, priority or regular U.S. mail. The indictment alleges that various conspirators sent or received money and mail parcels. The conspirators frequently confirmed sender names and addresses, money transfer control numbers and trafficked identities via text messaging.

The indictment further alleges that once the identity brokers received the identity documents, they delivered the documents to the customers and obtained second payments. The brokers generally kept the second payments for themselves as profit. Some identity brokers allegedly assumed a Puerto Rican identity themselves, and used that identity in connection with the trafficking operation.

As alleged in the indictment, the customers generally obtained the identity documents to assume the identity of Puerto Rican U.S. citizens and to obtain additional identification documents, such as legitimate state driver’s licenses. Some customers allegedly obtained the documents to commit financial fraud and attempts to obtain a U.S. passport.

Six Mexican Nationals Sentenced for Identity Theft

April 30, 2012blogarrest, document fraud, HSI, ICE, identity theft, illegal aliensAlex Meyerovich

Six members of a fraudulent document organization were sentenced Friday for their roles in conspiring to commit identity theft, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Leticia Rodriguez, 40, of Mexico, was sentenced to serve 41 months incarceration for conspiring to commit identity theft, wire fraud and social security fraud.

Pastor Quihua-Gonzalez, 25, and Noe Ortega Bravo, 26, of Mexico, were sentenced to serve 27 months and 18 months incarceration, respectively, for conspiring to commit
identify theft, wire fraud and social security fraud.

Julieta Rivera Lopez, 37, and Ricardo Obispo-Martinez, 22, of Mexico, were sentenced to serve 18 months and 24 months incarceration, respectively, for conspiring to commit identity theft and sale of fraudulent social security cards.

Benlly Hernandez-Cordova, 33, of Mexico, was sentenced to serve 27 months incarceration for conspiring to commit identity theft, sale of fraudulent social security cards and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.

The sentences resulted from a long-term investigation conducted by HSI that culminated August 9 with the defendants’ arrests for operating a fraudulent document manufacturing and distribution network based in Laurel, Miss., and Mobile, Ala. The HSI investigation revealed that organization members were creating counterfeit identification documents and Social Security cards using stolen identities. The defendants pleaded guilty to these offenses in February.

Four remaining co-defendants, Jose Acencio-Sanchez, 23, Enrique Martinez Lopez, 49,
Arturo Apodaca Tejeda, 40, of Mexico, and Ricardo Rodriguez, 19, of Mobile, are scheduled for sentencing in May and June.

“Fraudulent identity documents can be utilized in the full spectrum of criminal activity –
everything from illegal employment to plotting acts of terrorism,” said Raymond R. Parmer Jr., special agent in charge of HSI New Orleans. “The successful outcome of this enforcement effort reflects another example of HSI’s commitment to work alongside our law enforcement partners to investigate this type of crime to the fullest extent to ensure the safety and security of our nation.” Parmer oversees HSI activities in Mississippi,
Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama and Arkansas.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Annette Williams, Southern District of Mississippi, prosecuted
the case.