ANCHORAGE – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has unsealed a January indictment charging two Anchorage women, Valerie Calip and Jennifer Haydu, with conspiracy, fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering. The duo is accused of a lengthy scheme that targeted over 200 Alaskans, including defrauding elderly victims and Habitat for Humanity.
Court documents reveal that the defendants obtained at least $150,000 through their illegal activities. They stole mail, checkbooks, and identity documents from victims to create false identification documents. Under these identities, they signed up for credit cards and bank accounts, intercepted mail, and accessed their bank accounts using fake IDs. Calip and Haydu also utilized cash transfer apps to hide the origins of the stolen funds by transferring money to third-party accounts.
Among their victims were over 200 individuals, including an elderly victim with dementia who lost over $100,000 and Habitat for Humanity’s bank account from which thousands of dollars were taken.
If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison on the most serious counts and an additional mandatory two-year sentence for each count of aggravated identity theft. The final sentences will be determined by the federal district court judge after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The United States Postal Inspection Service is investigating this case, receiving crucial assistance from the Anchorage Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Tansey for the District of Alaska is handling the prosecution.
Victims seeking restitution may contact the United States Attorney’s Office at 907-271-3661. The Justice Department has also established a National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-FRAUD-11) to assist seniors who may be victims of financial fraud.
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Key Facts
- State: Alaska
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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