Two New York residents have been sentenced for their roles in a massive identity fraud conspiracy that sold fake identification documents on the darknet.
According to court documents, Andrea Alessandrini, 34, of Italy, and Evan Hayes, 28, of Buffalo, New York, sold over 300 fraudulent New York state driver’s licenses, fake social security numbers and birthdates, credit card holograms, and ATM skimmers on the darknet marketplaces AlphaBay Market and Dream Market.
The scheme, which lasted from May 2015 until October 2017, generated between $250,000 and $400,000 in transactions.
Alessandrini pleaded guilty on November 16, 2020, and was sentenced to 20 months in prison on April 5, 2021. Hayes pleaded guilty on July 12, 2021, and was sentenced to 18 months in prison yesterday.
The investigation revealed that Alessandrini operated the primary darknet accounts used to make the sales, while Hayes produced and mailed most of the fraudulent documents.
The U.S. authorities seized evidence related to the case, including $134,881 in U.S. currency, 14.78 Bitcoins, 285 ounces of silver, four ounces of gold, and 22 prepaid Visa gift cards.
Alessandrini, a 34-year-old resident of Italy, was sentenced to 20 months in prison on April 5, 2021. Hayes, 28, of Buffalo, New York, was sentenced to 18 months in prison yesterday.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Cybercrime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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