4 Charged With Using Stolen IDs To File $700K In Fake COVID-19 Claims: Maryland AG

ROCKVILLE, MD — Four Maryland residents, including three from Rockville, were indicted Tuesday for their involvement in a scheme to file false unemployment insurance claims worth more than $700,000 during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the office of Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown.

Rockville residents Cindy Boadu, Kelvin Boadu, and Kwame Boadu each face charges of theft scheme over $100,000 and 38 counts of conspiracy to commit identity fraud.

Leslie Awulley Quaye of Taneytown was also charged with theft scheme over $100,000 and 11 counts of identity fraud in connection with this case.

Using the personal information of dozens of identity theft victims, the four defendants filed at least 48 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims with the federal government between June and July 2020, according to the attorney general's office.

These fake claims led the Maryland Department of Labor to distribute more than $700,000 in fraudulent benefits onto bank debit cards, which were sent to the defendants' addresses.

“The defendants not only violated the rights of innocent individuals whose identities were
exploited, they undermined vital safety nets intended to support Marylanders who faced
adversity during COVID-19,” Brown said, in a release. “In some of our darkest hours, as
many struggled to keep the lights on and put food on the table, these individuals tried to get away with stealing what they thought was easy money. They failed. These indictments send a strong message to any criminal who may think they can hide in a crowd or under piles of paperwork, that they will be found and will face justice.”