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Identity Thief Sentenced to Prison in Saipan
Brian Galang Lizama, 49, has been sentenced to 24 months in prison for his role in an identity theft scheme that resulted in over $30,000 in losses. The scheme, which took place in December 2019, involved Lizama obtaining a copy of his brother’s birth certificate and using it to obtain an identification card in his brother’s name.
Lizama then used the identification card to make $30,850 in withdrawals from his brother’s Bank of Guam savings account. His brother discovered the theft when he checked the balance of his savings account by phone.
U.S. Attorney Shawn N. Anderson stated that the public is urged to take precautions with their personal information and regularly monitor their financial accounts to combat this activity. If someone suspects they may be a victim of identity theft, they should contact law enforcement immediately. Additional assistance may be obtained at IdentityTheft.gov or by calling the Federal Trade Commission at (877) 438-4338.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the CNMI Department of Public Safety. The case was prosecuted by Garth R. Backe, Assistant United States Attorney in the District of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Lizama was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment for Aggravated Identity Theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A(a)(1). The Court also ordered Lizama to pay $30,850 in restitution, serve one year of supervised release following imprisonment, perform 50 hours of community service, and pay a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting one’s personal information and regularly monitoring financial accounts for suspicious activity. If you suspect you may be a victim of identity theft, contact law enforcement immediately.
This article is published in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s efforts to combat identity theft and protect the public. For more information on how to protect your personal information, visit IdentityTheft.gov.
Key Facts
- State: Guam
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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