A Washington D.C. man has been convicted of a brazen scheme to steal identities and cash in on fraudulent tax refunds.
According to the evidence presented in court, Devell Lincoln, 55, conspired with others to file false federal income tax returns in the names of unwitting taxpayers with the IRS, using their names and Social Security numbers.
The scheme, which ran from 2011 to 2013, netted over $500,000 in fraudulent refunds, which were then cashed at a check-cashing business.
Lincoln also deposited over $150,000 in fraudulent refunds into bank accounts under his control, including one in the name of a deceased person and another in the name of a company registered in the deceased person’s name.
Lincoln’s accomplice, Stephanie Twyman, had previously pleaded guilty to theft of government money and aggravated identity theft on July 3, 2019, and is awaiting sentencing.
Lincoln faces a statutory minimum of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft, a maximum sentence of five years for conspiracy, and a maximum sentence of 10 years for theft of public money.
The case was investigated by the IRS-Criminal Investigations and the Treasury Department’s Office of the Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Abigail Burger Chingos of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica C. Collins of the District of Maryland.
Related Federal Cases
- Maxime Maiga, Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft, Greenbelt M… · Washington
- Junaidu Saljan Savage, Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft, La… · New Mexico
- Karen Holtz, Identity Theft and Financial Fraud, Alexandria VA, 2023 · Washington
- Harry Crawford, Extortion and Health Care Fraud, Maryland 2024 · Washington
- Crystal Charmae Richards, Tax Return Fraud, VA 2023 · New York
Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News