Laurel, MD – Michael Akame Ngwese Ay Makoge, 28, also known as “Hype” and “2Hype,” has confessed to orchestrating a brazen unemployment insurance fraud scheme that siphoned over $1.5 million from state systems in Maryland and California. Makoge pleaded guilty yesterday to wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft, admitting to a calculated effort to exploit pandemic-era relief programs.
The scheme, running from March 2020 through October 2021, involved Makoge and his accomplices pilfering the personal information – birthdates, social security numbers, and more – of at least 12 victims. This stolen data was then used to file hundreds of fraudulent unemployment claims, falsely stating victim details including residency and work availability. The ill-gotten benefits were loaded onto debit cards mailed to addresses controlled by the fraudsters.
Federal investigators uncovered a network of text messages detailing the exchange of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) between Makoge and his co-conspirators, outlining the mechanics of the fraud. A February 2021 raid on Makoge’s Laurel residence yielded 11 UI debit cards belonging to six different victims, hidden in his bedroom. The investigation revealed Makoge personally pocketed at least $35,540 through ATM withdrawals using stolen identities.
The bust is the result of a collaborative effort involving the ATF Baltimore Field Division, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Maryland State Police, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. The combined forces built a solid case against Makoge, exposing the scope of the operation and its impact on vulnerable individuals.
Makoge now faces a potential 30-year federal prison sentence for the wire fraud conspiracy, plus a mandatory consecutive two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson has scheduled sentencing for February 1, 2024, at 11 a.m. This case underscores the ongoing threat of pandemic-related fraud and the Justice Department’s commitment to prosecuting those who exploit crises for personal gain.
This investigation is part of the Attorney General’s COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force, a multi-agency initiative designed to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force aims to hold accountable those who preyed on relief programs, diverting resources intended for those most in need. The government continues to investigate Makoge’s co-conspirators, promising further indictments and prosecutions in the coming months.
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- McKenzie Marie Earley, $10M Wire Fraud, C.D. California, 2023 · Alaska
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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