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A man from 39 year old from Reston, Virginia, was sentenced Wednesday to 70 months in prison for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft regarding a scheme to create fake COVID stimulus checks – 19 and for attempting to perform various fraudulent financial transactions .
According to court documents, between December 2019 and August 2020, Jonathan Drew stole emails that were addressed to more of 150 people in Fairfax and Loudoun counties .
Officials say the stolen mail included bank statements, credit cards, W-2 forms, and more than $ 700, 000 Dollars on checks, including stimulus payments.
Authorities reported that Drew used the stolen documentation to create fake stimulus checks between $ 1, 200 and $ 2, 400 Dollars.
With the information of several citizens he was able to rent an apartment, open bank accounts and tried to carry out fraudulent transactions using fake checks and credit cards and make bank transfers.
“The defendant’s extensive fraud scheme involved the illegal acquisition of personally identifiable information belonging to more than 150 individu said Raj Parekh, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
who stole checks and credit cards, the defendant’s criminal conduct also inflicted emotional harm and distress on his identity theft victims . As this case demonstrates, those who seek to enrich themselves illegally by defrauding and robbing our residents will be prosecuted in the Eastern District of Virginia. ”
Related: The IRS detected possible identity theft fraud in more than 5 million tax refund requests
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has launched a new alert to taxpayers to be alert to any sign that seems suspicious and to report any type of abuse since criminals They take advantage of any opportunity to scam you.
The IRS recalls that the federal office never contacts taxpayers by email, text message or through of social networks to request personal information , offer gift cards or carry out any type of bank transfer.
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