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Tax Refund Scam Unfolds in Marin County: Duo Charged with Using Prison Inmates’ Personal Info
A brazen scheme to defraud the US government has been uncovered in Marin County, where two individuals have been charged with filing false tax returns using personal information of prison inmates.
According to a recent indictment, Clifford Dale Bercovich, 66, of San Rafael, and Howard Webber, a resident of Marin County and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, allegedly carried out a sophisticated tax refund scam.
The indictment, which contains 31 counts, accuses Bercovich and Webber of conspiracy, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
It is alleged that Bercovich created an information sheet for ‘Inmate Assets Recovery and Liquidation Services’ to obtain personal identifying information from prison inmates.
Using this information, Bercovich allegedly prepared and filed false federal income tax returns for the inmates, which reported fictitious figures for ‘wages, salaries, and tips.’
The tax returns, which claimed tax refunds based on the Earned Income Credit and/or Making Work Pay Credit, were deposited into a bank account established by Bercovich.
The defendants split a fee of $250 or 25% of the fraudulent refund.
The maximum statutory penalty for each count of conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C § 1349, is 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
The maximum statutory penalty for each count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C § 1341, is 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
The maximum penalty for aggravated identity theft in violation of Title 18, U.S.C § 1028A, is a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in prison, and a fine of $250,000 plus restitution.
Assistant United States Attorney Cynthia Stier is prosecuting the case, which is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation.
Please note, an indictment contains only allegations against a person and, as with all defendants, Clifford Dale Bercovich and Howard Webber must be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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