Crime Alert: Raleigh Man Sentenced to 71 Months in Prison for Tax Refund Fraud Scheme
A Raleigh man has been sentenced to 71 months in prison for his role in a tax refund fraud scheme that targeted the U.S. Treasury. Wilfredo Acosta Hidalgo, 47, pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to commit theft of public money and theft of public money.
According to court documents, in 2011 and 2012, Hidalgo conspired with check cashers to cash U.S. Treasury refund checks issued as a result of fraudulently-filed tax returns. Hidalgo provided the check cashers with U.S. Treasury checks issued to third parties in whose name the fraudulent returns were filed.
The check cashers deposited the U.S. Treasury checks into their business bank accounts and provided Hidalgo with cash equal to the value of the U.S. Treasury checks, less a check-cashing fee. The third-party payees were not present when the checks were cashed.
In addition to the prison term, Hidalgo was ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay $4,280,871 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Acting Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who investigated the case, and Trial Attorneys Lauren Castaldi and Nathan Brooks of the Tax Division, who prosecuted this case.
This case is a prime example of the IRS’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the tax system and holding individuals accountable for their crimes. We will continue to work tirelessly to identify and prosecute those who seek to exploit the system for their own gain.
Defendant Information:
Defendant: Wilfredo Acosta Hidalgo
City and State: Raleigh, North Carolina
Charge: Conspiracy to commit theft of public money and theft of public money
Crime Date: 2011-2012
Sentence: 71 months in prison, 3 years of supervised release, $4,280,871 in restitution
Source: Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Related Federal Cases
- Tracey Hernandez, Tax Fraud, North Carolina 2021 · North Carolina
- Tracey Hernandez, Tax Refund Scheme, North Carolina 2022 · North Carolina
- Helen Jean Anderson, Tax Refund Fraud, South Carolina 2023 · North Carolina
- Andre Whitehurst, Bank Fraud, North Carolina 2022 · North Carolina
- Camille M. Harris, Property Fraud Scheme, North Carolina, 2023 · North Carolina
Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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