Tacoma Woman Charged In 7-Year Fraud Scheme

TACOMA, WA — A 39-year-old Tacoma woman was charged in a federal indictment Friday, alleging wire fraud, theft of public funds, aggravated identity theft, social security number misuse, and embezzlement of mail by a postal employee. According to the Department of Justice, Iliganoa Theresa Lauofo, a former mail carrier, illegally collected more than $230,000 in various welfare benefits between 2011 and 2018.

Prosecutors said Lauofo used several stolen identities to claim benefits and open credit accounts, including one opened in the name of an ex-husband. She is also accused of cashing two checks stolen from mail she was meant to deliver while she worked for the U.S. Postal Service.
Court filings allege Lauofo applied for food and income assistance by lying about her husband living elsewhere and claiming several unrelated children living in American Samoa as dependents.

Lauofo faces 17 federal counts and potentially decades in prison if convicted on call charges. She is scheduled to make an initial court appearance in Seattle on December 5.