Khemall Jokhoo, Identity Theft, Minnesota 2013

Khemall Jokhoo, a 36-year-old former debt collector from Lonsdale, Minnesota, was sentenced to 175 months in federal prison for attempting to steal more than $700,000 through identity theft and fraud. The conviction was a result of an investigation conducted by the Minnesota Financial Crimes Task Force, the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Lonsdale Police Department.

According to U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger, Jokhoo used the identities of more than 60 victims to harass and intimidate them, demanding payment for purported debts. When he could not convince victims to pay, Jokhoo impersonated them, using their bank account and other identifying information to take over and steal directly from their accounts.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lola Velazquez-Aguilu stated, ‘The term ‘identity theft’ seems an inadequate description for what the defendant did to the victims in this case. He used their identifying information not only to steal their money, but also to terrorize them, taking pleasure in making other human beings feel completely powerless and without worth.’

Jokhoo, who was the owner and sole employer of First Financial Services, Inc., a collection agency licensed in Minnesota from May 9, 2002, until November 3, 2009, had access to sensitive credit information, including social security numbers, bank account information, dates of birth, addresses, and other identifying information of the victims.

The court documents revealed that Jokhoo threatened victims with physical harm if they did not pay him. In one instance, he threatened to ‘push his wheelchair over the bridge’ if a disabled veteran did not pay. Jokhoo also targeted elderly victims as part of his scheme.

Assistant U.S. Attorney LeeAnn K. Bell prosecuted this case, and U.S. Attorney Luger emphasized the importance of continued partnership among law enforcement officials to stem the tide of financial fraud and identity theft.

Khemall Jokhoo was convicted of Bank Fraud (11 counts), Aggravated Identity Theft (10 counts), Mail Fraud (9 counts), Wire Fraud (2 counts), and False Personation of an Officer or Employee of the United States (1 count). He was sentenced to 175 months in federal prison and 5 years of supervised release.

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