Fort Lee Man Stole Veterans' Information To File Fake Tax Returns

FORT LEE, NJ — A borough man admitted stealing the personal information from U.S. Army veterans to help generate and file phony tax returns, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Shope Oluwo, 33, pleaded guilty in Trenton federal court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft, Carpenito announced.

Oluwo admitted that in January and February 2016 he conspired with Dermot Sutherland, 29, and others to steal the personal information from current and former Army veterans, Carpenito said.

Oluwo used that information to make fake military identification cards and W-2 forms with the victims' names on them.

Oluwo gave the fake cards and forms to Sutherland, who posed as the victims and filed fake returns with a tax preparer. He later received debit cards from the tax preparation company that contained the refunds, Carpenito said.

Oluwo faces a potential 20-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, on the conspiracy to commit wire fraud and a 10-year sentence on the access device fraud charge.

Sutherland previously pleaded guilty to his role in the scheme and awaits sentencing.

Email daniel.hubbard@patch.com

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