Derric Theoc, Identity Theft, Florida 2014

A Florida man was sentenced to serve 27 months in prison for attempting to purchase sensitive, detailed personal identifying information to open credit card accounts and file fraudulent tax returns.

Derric Theoc, 36, was sentenced to 27 months in prison and two years of supervised release for attempting to purchase packages of personal identifying information for 100 people from an undercover United States Secret Service agent.

Theoc had previously made multiple similar purchases from Hieu Minh Ngo, a Vietnamese national who administered websites that allowed individuals to access databases containing personal identifying information.

Ngo pleaded guilty to wire fraud, identification fraud, and fraud in connection with access devices and is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 1, 2014.

The packages of personal identifying information that Theoc attempted to purchase included a person's name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, mother's maiden name, driver's license number, bank account number, bank routing number, email account, account password, and place of work.

Theoc admitted that he attempted to purchase the information with the intent to obtain credit cards to make purchases or withdraw money and to file fraudulent tax returns in an effort to receive refunds to which he was not entitled.

The case is being investigated by the United States Secret Service and prosecuted by Senior Counsel Mysti Degani of the Criminal Division's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Arnold H. Huftalen of the District of New Hampshire.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/florida-man-sentenced-27-months-prison-attempting-purchase-100-stolen-identities