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Student Financial Aid Scam Exposed: Local Man Charged with $600,000 Heist
HOUSTON, Texas – A brazen scheme to defraud the system has been uncovered, with a 39-year-old Richmond resident at the center of the operation. Emmanuel Finnih is accused of obtaining nearly $600,000 in financial aid funds at several Texas colleges and universities.
According to the indictment, Finnih allegedly aided and abetted or was aided and abetted by others in submitting false applications for financial aid. The charges allege he unlawfully obtained financial aid funds for over 30 alleged students at eight colleges and universities in Texas.
Finnih used the personal identifiers of other individuals to prepare, submit and sign false and fraudulent financial aid applications and master promissory notes in their names, according to the indictment. He allegedly utilized mailing addresses, telephone numbers and email accounts he controlled to ensure that the Department of Education and colleges would send any communications directly to him.
The indictment further alleges that Finnih aided and abetted or was aided and abetted by others in the aggravated identity theft of two alleged students. He or others were also fraudulently in possession of identity documents – temporary driver permits or identification cards – with the intent to unlawfully use or transfer those documents.
The actual loss to the United States is alleged to be over $595,000. The indictment includes one count each of theft of government funds, student financial aid fraud, and unlawful use or transfer of identity documents, along with four counts of aggravated identity theft.
Emmanuel Finnih, 39, of Richmond, Texas, is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Yvonne Y. Ho at 2 p.m. today, September 30.
He faces a possible 10 years in federal prison if convicted of theft of government funds, five years for student financial aid fraud and unlawful use or transfer identity documents, and two years consecutively for each of the aggravated identity theft counts.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. Finnih is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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