A Detroit man pleaded guilty today to access device fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud the Internal Revenue Service, United States Attorney Barbara McQuade announced today.
McQuade was joined in the announcement by Jarod J. Koopman, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation.
Entering the guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Gershwin A. Drain was Antonio R. Lundy, 43. According to court records, from September 2011 through April 2012, Lundy obtained the home addresses and personal identification information of individuals, which was used by others to prepare and file false and fraudulent income tax returns with the IRS. The returns requested refunds, which were paid by the IRS, loaded onto Turbo Tax Visa debit cards, and mailed to the home addresses provided by Lundy.
The names on the debit cards were of individuals who were unaware that their identities were being used as part of a scheme. Lundy picked up the debit cards and used them at ATMs in the Detroit area to withdraw cash. Lundy’s cash withdrawals totaled approximately $252,000, which he knew he was not entitled to and was a part of a scheme to defraud the IRS. Overall, the scheme involved approximately 180 fraudulent returns that requested approximately $1.7 million in refunds.
“IRS-CI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to combat identity theft. Investigating and prosecuting identity thieves who attempt to defraud the government by filing fraudulent income tax returns remains a top priority for the IRS," said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Koopman.
Lundy’s sentencing is set for April 9, 2015. The crime to which he pleaded guilty carries a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years and a fine of $250,000. In addition, Lundy will be required to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $251,990.
The case was investigated by special agents of the IRS-Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Hiyama.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
