Baltimore, Maryland – In a devastating blow to identity thieves, Victor Ojo, 30, of Belcamp, Maryland, was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in an attempted bank-fraud scheme that had an intended loss amount of $1.5 million.
Victor Ojo also admitted to participating in a fraudulent scheme to obtain $28,350 in unemployment insurance benefits. Judge Rubin ordered Victor Ojo to forfeit $20,014.03 and to pay $78,350 in restitution.
According to his guilty plea, from April 2016 through at least August 2019, Victor Ojo conspired with Damilola Ojo, Jamelia Thompson, Raissa Kaossele, and others, to commit bank fraud using the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) Modernized Internet Employer Identification Number (MODIEIN) system.
The MODIEIN is the IRS system that allows users to register for a unique Employer Identification Number (EIN). It requires users to enter the valid name and Social Security Number of a real living person to obtain an EIN for a business. The defendant and his co-conspirators created and used various EINs to carry out the scheme.
Victor Ojo and his co-conspirators victimized individuals through identity theft, businesses through financial account compromise, and banks through misdirecting wire transfers and making fraudulent transactions. After Victor Ojo’s arrest, law enforcement discovered evidence linking him to fraudulent activity.
U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) for its work in the investigation. Mr. Barron also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph L. Wenner, Paul Riley, and John D’Amico who prosecuted the federal case.
The District of Maryland Strike Force is one of the many collaborative efforts that have led to Victor Ojo’s sentencing. The District of Maryland Strike Force is a partnership between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Maryland COVID-19 Strike Force.
Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Category: Cybercrime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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