Tampa Woman Pleads Guilty in $173K Tax & Credit Fraud Scheme

Nejah Prince, 31, of Tampa, has pleaded guilty to a brazen identity theft and tax refund fraud scheme that exploited stolen Veterans Affairs medical records, federal prosecutors announced today. Prince admitted to access device fraud and making a false claim against the United States—charges that carry a combined maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

The case unfolded after Tampa Police executed a search at Prince’s residence in February 2013. Inside, they discovered a trove of criminal evidence: copies of confidential VA medical records, notebooks containing the personal identification information of over 200 individuals, printed fraudulent tax returns, and multiple computers used to orchestrate the scam.

According to the plea agreement, Prince used the identity of one individual listed on a VA medical record to open a credit account with Montgomery Ward. She then charged more than $1,300 in unauthorized purchases. That single act landed her the access device fraud charge, punishable by up to 15 years behind bars.

But the scheme ran deeper. IRS Criminal Investigation agents found Prince had filed a fraudulent federal income tax return using another victim’s stolen identity, claiming a refund of over $8,200. That charge—making a false claim against the United States—carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison.

Further forensic analysis tied Prince to dozens of additional fake tax returns submitted on behalf of other individuals whose data was found in her home. The total IRS loss from the entire operation exceeds $173,000. None of the victims had authorized the filings, and all were left vulnerable to further financial exploitation.

The investigation was led by IRS Criminal Investigation, with critical support from the Tampa Police Department, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Jay L. Hoffer and Sara Sweeney are prosecuting the case. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.

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