Stanley Fard Harper, Aggravated Identity Theft, South Carolina 2018

COLUMBIA, SC – Stanley Fard Harper, 33, of Charlotte, North Carolina, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 24 months for Aggravated Identity Theft, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 1028A. U.S. District Judge J. Michelle Childs also slapped Harper with a hefty restitution order exceeding $57,000, payable to the banks and credit unions he systematically defrauded.

The scheme, according to court documents, unfolded while Harper was employed at The Lash Group, a health care consulting firm in Fort Mill, South Carolina, since 2010. Harper’s position granted him access to the personal identification information (PII) of Lash Group’s clientele – a treasure trove he exploited for personal gain. He wasn’t just skimming data; he was building a fraudulent financial empire on the backs of innocent people.

Harper’s methods were brazenly calculated. He used stolen PII to open accounts at Founders Federal Credit Union, also in Fort Mill. He’d deposit a small amount to make the accounts appear legitimate, then apply for a credit card. A fake North Carolina ID and a fabricated social security card, purchased online for a mere $60 per set, allowed him to access cash advances and rack up purchases. He’d then cycle in more money to increase the credit limit, milking the accounts until they were flagged for nonpayment before ditching the fake documentation.

Thirteen fraudulent accounts at Founders weren’t enough. Harper expanded his operation to include Charlotte Metro Federal Credit Union, Truliant Federal Credit Union, and even Chase Bank USA. The U.S. Secret Service, leading the investigation, uncovered a pattern of abuse – Harper using the ill-gotten gains for personal expenses. Every cash advance, every purchase, was a direct theft from the identities he’d stolen.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office, successfully prosecuted the case, demonstrating the federal government’s commitment to cracking down on identity theft and financial fraud. The 24-month sentence sends a clear message: exploiting personal data for profit will not be tolerated.

While the restitution order offers some relief to the affected financial institutions, the damage to the victims whose identities Harper stole runs far deeper. Their credit scores, financial stability, and peace of mind were all compromised by Harper’s greed. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of identity theft and the importance of protecting your personal information.

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