PITTSBURGH, PA – Yoandy Perez Llanes, a foreign national residing outside the United States, has been sentenced to time served on Count 17 and six months imprisonment on Count 18, to run consecutively, after being convicted of money laundering and aggravated identity theft. The sentence, handed down by United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak, closes a chapter in a sprawling fraud scheme that exploited a massive data breach at UPMC.
The scheme originated in early 2014 when hackers infiltrated a UPMC database, pilfering the personal information – names, Social Security numbers, and other Personally Identifiable Information (PII) – of thousands of employees. This stolen data became the fuel for a sophisticated tax fraud operation, with conspirators filing false 2013 federal tax returns in an attempt to siphon off illicit refunds. Llanes and his associates managed to file 935 fraudulent returns requesting refunds in the form of Amazon.com gift cards.
Federal investigators, including the IRS-Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, moved swiftly to disrupt the operation. While the perpetrators attempted to claim approximately $2.2 million in fraudulent refunds, their efforts were partially thwarted. Approximately $1.4 million was successfully disbursed in Amazon.com gift cards before the scheme was shut down. The fraudsters then used these gift cards to purchase a vast quantity of electronic merchandise.
The operation wasn’t a simple smash-and-grab. Llanes and his co-conspirators employed tactics designed to obscure their tracks, utilizing anonymous and encrypted email communication and proxy computers to file the fraudulent tax returns. The electronic merchandise purchased with the stolen gift cards wasn’t destined for personal use. Instead, it was shipped through reshipping services in Miami, Florida, ultimately bound for overseas destinations in Maracay or Maracaibo, Venezuela.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci led the prosecution, building a case that traced the flow of stolen data and fraudulent funds across international borders. Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song praised the collaborative efforts of the investigative agencies, highlighting the complex nature of the scheme and the dedication required to bring Llanes to justice. The successful prosecution serves as a warning that even internationally-based fraud operations will be pursued.
The case underscores the growing threat of data breaches and the subsequent exploitation of stolen personal information for financial gain. While the immediate damage has been contained, the incident raises serious questions about data security protocols at UPMC and the vulnerability of sensitive employee information. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional arrests and prosecutions.
Related Federal Cases
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- Agwel Fayette, Tax Refund Fraud, VA 2024 · Pennsylvania
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- Bar Shani, Money Laundering Conspiracy, CA 2024 · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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