Juan Vasquez, Identity Theft and Fraud, Rhode Island 2015

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A scheme that sounds like a Hollywood movie has been exposed in Rhode Island, as a local businessman and three others have been charged with stealing the identities of hundreds of people and filing fraudulent tax returns to obtain millions of dollars in refunds.

Rhode Island businessman Juan Vasquez, 55, of Pawtucket, and three others, including two employees and his sister, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Providence for their alleged participation in an extensive stolen identity and tax refund fraud scheme.

The indictment charges Juan Vasquez, Erika Tomasino, 43, Belkis Vasquez, 49, and Doris Morel, 43, of Central Falls, with aggravated identity theft, theft of government property, money laundering and mail fraud.

The indictment alleges that between January 2010 and November 2014, the individuals participating in the fraud conspiracy used the stolen identities of hundreds of individuals, mostly residents of Puerto Rico, to file fraudulent tax returns in order to obtain tax refunds.

According to court documents, an investigation by federal agents and the U.S. Attorney’s Office found that the defendants deposited 448 fraudulently obtained tax refund checks totaling $2.8 million dollars into 26 bank accounts controlled by the defendants.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra R. Hebert and John P. McAdams and investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with the assistance of the Pawtucket Police Department.

Juan Vasquez was arrested by federal agents in Tampa, Florida, on September 9, 2015, and is being held without bail.

Erika Tomasino, an employee of Juan Vasquez, and his sister, Belkis Vasquez, were arraigned today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond and released on personal recognizance.

Doris Morel, an employee of Juan Vasquez, was arraigned on Tuesday before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond and released on unsecured bond.

An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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