Tax Refund Related Identity Theft ... An Update

IRS Criminal Investigation, or “IRS CI,” is the law enforcement component of the Internal Revenue Service. Earlier this month, IRS CI issued a report reflecting its significant accomplishments and enforcement actions during its last fiscal year.

According to this report, the investigation of identity theft-related tax refund fraud continues to be a priority for IRS CI. During its 2014 fiscal year, IRS CI remained committed to investigating egregious identity theft schemes through field office and multiregional task forces including state/local and federal law enforcement agencies. Currently IRS CI participates in over 70 task forces/working groups throughout the country which investigate both financial crimes as well as identity theft crimes.

A review of recently filed court records in the Southern District of New York and the Eastern District of New York demonstrates the work being done to combat tax related identity theft in the New York City – metropolitan area. Sentences are often a mix of prison time and restitution.

· Rocio Almonte was sentenced to 3 years of probation on March 4, 2015 for theft of government funds. She was ordered to pay restitution of $6,000 to the Internal Revenue Service and perform 200 hours of community service.

· Manuel Enrique Concepcion was sentenced to 24 months in prison on February 9, 2015 for conspiracy to commit theft of government funds. He was ordered to pay restitution of $204,896.51.

· Yushau Wadudu-Haruna was sentenced to 36 months in prison on February 9, 2015 for theft of government funds, aggravated identity theft and possession of counterfeit / unauthorized access devices. He was ordered to pay restitution of $239,727 to the Internal Revenue Service.

· Cirilo Lorenzo was sentenced to time served and one year of supervised release on April 8, 2014 for theft of government funds. He was ordered to pay restitution of $13,493 to the Internal Revenue Service.

· Yeletza Lorenzo was sentenced to 3 years of probation with 4 months of home confinement on February 26, 2015 for theft / embezzlement of U.S. property. She was ordered to pay restitution of $13,493 to the Internal Revenue Service.

· Jose Michel was sentenced to 12 months plus 1 day in prison on April 14, 2015 for possession and use of the means of identification of others and theft of government funds. He was ordered to pay restitution of $10,000 to the Internal Revenue Service.

· Ingres Maria Morel was sentenced to 5 years of probation with 6 months of home confinement on February 6, 2015 for conspiracy to commit theft of government funds and ordered to pay restitution of $33,131.10.

· Julissa Ramos was sentenced to time served and 3 years of supervised release, including 1 year of community confinement, on March 31, 2015 for conspiracy to steal government funds, theft of government funds, aggravated identity theft and making false statements and ordered to pay restitution of $850,479.84.

· Abdulaye Sako was sentenced to 24 months in prison for aggravated identity theft on March 2, 2015.

· Ivelisse Roque Santana was sentenced to time served and 3 years of supervised release on February 27, 2015 for theft of government funds and ordered to pay restitution of $21,000 to the Internal Revenue Service.

The press release announcing IRS CI’s annual report and the link to the actual report can be found at:

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Criminal-Investigation-Releases-Fiscal-Year-2014-Annual-Report