Tiffany Cochran, Wire Fraud Bank Fraud Money Laundering Aggravated Identity Theft Bankruptcy Fraud, West Virginia 2019

Raleigh County, WV – Tiffany Cochran, a 26-year-old woman, is facing a mountain of federal charges after allegedly running a multi-million dollar fraud scheme built on lies and stolen identities. Cochran is indicted on 26 counts, including wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, aggravated identity theft, and bankruptcy fraud, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart.

Prosecutors allege Cochran, since 2017, posed as an experienced government contractor, establishing companies TMS and TSG, and falsely claiming they were leading suppliers to the Department of Defense. The reality? TSG never secured a single federal or state contract. TMS briefly held two state contracts, quickly canceled due to “repeated delays in performance.” The scheme wasn’t about delivering services; it was about fleecing investors.

The indictment details how Cochran attracted at least 11 investors with fabricated stories of success, raking in over $2.5 million. She also allegedly secured funds from a financial institution based on these false pretenses. To bolster her lies, Cochran didn’t just invent a resume; she stole the personal identification information of federal employees and banking professionals, using their names to send fraudulent emails to potential investors. A classic con, executed with cold calculation.

The lavish lifestyle funded by these lies is detailed in the indictment. Cochran allegedly spent over $1 million of investor money on herself, enjoying a 18-month stretch of unemployment outside of her fraudulent ventures. The spending wasn’t modest: jewelry, a vintage 1965 Shelby Cobra, and multiple properties were all purchased with stolen funds. When the house of cards began to crumble, Cochran filed for bankruptcy, adding yet another layer of deceit with false statements and perjury during her creditor meeting.

“All indictments are serious and this is a serious matter,” stated U.S. Attorney Stuart. “Ms. Cochran pretended to be a government contractor, intentionally misled investors…intentionally stole personal identification information…and then engaged in bankruptcy fraud.” Thomas Fleming, Resident Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Charleston office, emphasized the importance of interagency cooperation, stating the investigation “demonstrates the Secret Service’s commitment to strong partnerships.”

The investigation, a joint effort between the U.S. Secret Service, West Virginia State Police, FDIC, and ATF, uncovered the extent of Cochran’s alleged crimes. If convicted on all counts, Cochran faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. Assistant United States Attorney Kathleen Robeson is prosecuting the case. The indictment, a formal accusation, serves as the first step in a process that will determine whether Cochran’s elaborate web of deceit will finally unravel in a court of law.

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