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Woodbury Woman Sentenced to Probation for HUD Tax Credits Scam
MINNEAPOLIS—A 53-year-old Woodbury woman was sentenced to two years of probation for using an alternative identity to receive over $18,000 in Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Victoria Ayoola, who was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Joan N. Ericksen, was also ordered to pay $18,114 in restitution. Ayoola pleaded guilty to one count of social security fraud and one count of making false statements on August 23, 2012.
Ayoola used the fake identity of Oluremi George to apply for and receive a social security card in 1996. She then used both identities to apply for and renew Minnesota identification cards and driver’s licenses, seek and obtain employment, and file federal and state tax returns.
As Oluremi George, Ayoola also received a lower monthly housing rental rate by qualifying for a LIHTC rental unit at Pondview Townhomes in Woodbury. However, she certified that her anticipated income would be $30,930, despite knowing it would be approximately $55,887.13.
Ayoola’s fraud has resulted in over $18,000 in underpayments of rent since 2004. The case was the result of an investigation by ICE HSI and its Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force, the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General, HUD’s Office of Inspector General, the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, and the Minnesota State Patrol.
Michael Feinberg, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations’ St. Paul Field Office, said, “This type of fraud poses serious security vulnerability, one that often contributes to a host of other crimes – including identity theft and financial fraud. Targeting schemes like this that enable individuals to obtain fraudulent U.S. identity documents is a top priority for ICE HSI, and we are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to detect, investigate, and dismantle this type of activity.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Dunne. Ayoola was indicted on July 10, 2012.
Key Facts
- State: Minnesota
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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