The U.S. Department of Justice reported a yearslong case involving an organized fraud ring in Michigan has come to a close.
According to a March 30 news release, eight participants in the Detroit-based organized fraud ring have been convicted. Thus, a multi-year prosecution has come to a close that started with a 23-count indictment that exposed conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and theft.
“This was an incredibly sophisticated group who engaged in widespread fraud across multiple states over multiple years, stealing millions of dollars in the process," said Dawn Ison, DOJ attorney. "This prosecution is a prime example of our commitment to breaking up these organized crime rings and holding their members accountable for the full scope of their criminal conduct.”
One of the participants, 35-year-old Tayan Jackson from Los Angeles, has been sentenced to two years in prison and will be required to pay more than $400,000 in restitution, according to the news release. Records from the case reported the fraudsters collected stolen credit card information on the dark web and other sources. They reportedly used the information to create counterfeit credit cards.
“Identity theft and credit card fraud are not victimless crimes. They have a profound negative impact on the individual whose identity is stolen," Josh Hauxhurst, acting special agent-in-charge of the Detroit FBI field office. "The FBI will continue to work in close partnership with the members of the Detroit Metro Identity Theft Task Force to identify and disrupt individuals and criminal organizations engaged in these schemes.”
