Andrea Renee Pytlinski, COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits Scam, Indiana 2020

EVANSVILLE, IN – In a shocking case of COVID-19 unemployment benefits scam, Andrea Renee Pytlinski, 40, and her mother Rose Ann Azzarello, 61, both of Fort Branch, Indiana, were sentenced for their role in a well-organized Nigerian fraud ring.

Pytlinski and Azzarello were arrested and charged with wire fraud in July 2020. The mother-daughter duo participated in a wire fraud scheme by receiving and sending funds via wire and common courier. After the illicit funds were deposited into their accounts, they would withdraw the funds prior to the detection of any fraud and then transmit a portion of the ill-gotten funds to a third party while retaining their share.

The COVID-19 crisis led to a provision in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which included temporary benefits for individuals who had exhausted their entitlement to regular unemployment compensation. The U.S. Secret Service started receiving reports about a well-organized Nigerian fraud ring exploiting the COVID-19 crisis through a large-scale fraud against state unemployment insurance programs.

The Fort Branch Police Department received a complaint from Field and Main Bank in Evansville, regarding account transactions in which Washington State Unemployment benefits were being ACH transferred into Indiana bank accounts held by Azzarello and Pytlinski. Agents from the U.S. Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Internal Revenue Criminal Investigation discovered those accounts were being funded with Washington State unemployment benefits and the proceeds of a check forgery scheme.

Pytlinski was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, must serve 3 years of supervised release following her incarceration, and ordered to pay $27,522 in restitution. Azzarello was sentenced to 4 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $27,522 in restitution.

The investigative work of the federal and local law enforcement partners is to be commended, said Acting U.S. Attorney John E. Childress. The Secret Service’s commitment to protect the nation’s financial service infrastructure by vigorously investigating COVID-19 unemployment fraud is also to be commended.

The case is a stark reminder that those who engage in COVID-19 unemployment benefits scams will be held accountable. As Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation Chicago Field Office, Justin Campbell, stated, ‘IRS Criminal Investigation is sworn to protect the tax system and bring to justice those who would steal from the Treasury.’

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