Shauniqua Rodriguez, Wire Fraud, New York 2024

A Lockport woman has been sentenced to prison for her role in a debt collection scheme that brought in over $3,000,000.

Shauniqua Rodriguez, 41, was sentenced to serve 12 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara on conspiracy to commit wire fraud charges.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins, Rodriguez conspired with others in a debt collection scheme that was spearheaded by co-defendant Joseph Ciffa. The scheme involved making telephone calls to 'debtors' throughout the United States, using various fraudulent tactics and misrepresentations to induce them to make payments.

Between January 2014 and February 2017, Rodriguez placed calls to 'debtors,' using false representations of her identity and fabricating criminal charges against them. She also served as an informal trainer for other employees and collected on debts that had already been satisfied.

The debt collection scheme brought in over $3,000,000 between 2015 and 2016. Rodriguez is one of five defendants to be convicted in this case, and the third to be sentenced.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Defendant's full name: Shauniqua Rodriguez

Exact criminal charges: Conspiracy to commit wire fraud

City and state: Buffalo, NY

Exact date: Not specified

Sentence or outcome: 12 months in prison

Dollar amounts: $3,000,000

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/lockport-woman-sentenced-wire-fraud-charge-her-role-debt-collection-scheme