Iran V. Backstrom, Nationwide Tax Fraud, Florida 2016

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Table of Contents

Nationwide Tax Fraud Scheme Exposed

A Georgia man has pleaded guilty to orchestrating a nationwide tax fraud scheme that targeted over 200 participants in at least 19 states. Iran V. Backstrom, also known as Shariyf Noble, of Milledgeville, was the mastermind behind the scheme, which involved recruiting clients and preparing false tax returns on their behalf.

According to court documents, Backstrom and his co-conspirators held seminars across the country to promote the scheme, convincing participants that their mortgages and other debts entitled them to tax refunds. Between 2014 and 2016, the group collectively sought over $25 million in refunds from the IRS. However, these tax returns falsely claimed that banks and other financial institutions had withheld large amounts of income tax from the participants, when in reality, no such taxes had been paid.

As part of his plea, Backstrom admitted to giving orders to others as part of the scheme and concealing their roles by submitting false IRS forms and coaching participants on how to conceal the scheme from the IRS. He also admitted to charging participants approximately $10,000 to $15,000 in fees for each tax return and personally receiving around $1 million for his role in the scheme.

Backstrom faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for conspiring to defraud the United States and three years in prison for each of the seven counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of a false tax return. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.

Backstrom’s sentencing will be scheduled for a later date. He previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States and aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of a false tax return. The case is being investigated by the IRS-Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by the Justice Department’s Tax Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

Defendant: Iran V. Backstrom, also known as Shariyf Noble

Criminal Charges: Conspiring to defraud the United States, aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of a false tax return

City and State: Milledgeville, Georgia

Exact Date: Not specified

Sentence or Outcome: Pending sentencing, facing up to 35 years in prison and $1 million in fines

Dollar Amounts: Over $25 million in sought refunds, approximately $1 million for Backstrom’s role in the scheme, and $10,000 to $15,000 in fees per tax return