Maria Morales, Unemployment Insurance Benefits Theft and Identity Theft, Florida 2024

Tampa, Florida – In a shocking case of identity theft and unemployment insurance benefits theft, Maria Morales, a 58-year-old Wesley Chapel woman, has been found guilty of trafficking in unauthorized access devices and aggravated identity theft. According to the United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe, Morales could face a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.

Morales was indicted on September 4, 2024, and her sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 19, 2025. The case was investigated by the Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Candace Garcia Rich.

According to the evidence presented at trial, Morales received over 100 debit cards issued by the state of Nevada for unemployment insurance benefits distributed during the COVID pandemic. Each of these debit cards was created using personal identifying information of unwitting individuals from all over the United States.

The debit cards mailed to Morales had the names of those individuals on both the debit cards and the envelope in which the cards were mailed. Upon receipt, Morales traveled to various ATMs in the Middle District of Florida and withdrew thousands of dollars in unemployment insurance benefits.

In less than one year, Morales received almost $2 million in unemployment insurance benefits to which she was never entitled. In so doing, she stole the identity of over 100 individuals.

As the investigation reveals, Morales used the personal identifying information of the victims to obtain debit cards, which she then used to withdraw cash at ATMs. This case highlights the importance of protecting personal identifying information and the devastating consequences of identity theft.

The case serves as a warning to those who would seek to exploit the system and steal from others. The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly to hold those accountable who commit such crimes.

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