Baltimore, Maryland – In a shocking turn of events, Dolapo Lawal, a 33-year-old Baltimore resident, has pleaded guilty to federal charges of access device fraud and aggravated identity theft for orchestrating a $3 million stolen identity tax refund fraud scheme.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, Lawal is accused of using the identities of elderly victims to file fraudulent tax returns, which were then loaded onto debit cards in their names. These cards were sent across the country and cashed out by Lawal, who later confessed to using them to pay off personal debts.
In April 2022, Baltimore County Police discovered $18,900 in cash and 24 Green Dot Bank debit cards tied to the scheme during a search of Lawal’s Mercedes S-class sedan. Cell tower data and bank records showed Lawal had used these cards for over 300 withdrawals totaling more than $80,000.
A subsequent search at Lawal’s residence uncovered over 300 additional Green Dot Bank debit cards linked to victims’ accounts, with fraudulent tax refund claims exceeding $3 million. The IRS seized Lawal’s iPhone, which contained photographs of the cards and details on their associated bank accounts.
Lawal faces a maximum of ten years in prison for access device fraud and a mandatory minimum two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft. His sentencing is scheduled to take place in the near future.
Consumers are encouraged to report financial fraud to the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-83 for assistance.
RELATED: Ellicott City Fraudster Fischer Pleads Guilty to $4.4M Insurance Scheme
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- Ellicott City Fraudster Fischer Pleads Guilty to $4.4M Insurance Scheme · Maryland
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Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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