Security News > 2022 > December > Four suspects cuffed, face extradition over tax refund scam plot

Four men suspected of plotting to commit wire fraud and identity theft have been arrested and now face extradition to America.

It is alleged they conspired to break into US companies' servers, steal people's personally identifiable information, use that info to file fraudulent tax returns to Uncle Sam, and collect victims' tax refunds.

Nigerian citizens Akinola Taylor and Kazeem Olanrewaju Runsewe, along with UK citizen Olayemi Adafin, were arrested on November 30 in London and Sweden.

The conspiracy dates back to early 2017, prosecutors claim in court documents.

After breaking into companies' servers, the men allegedly exfiltrated PII and used the stolen identities to e-file fraudulent tax forms with the IRS, and have the money flow into prepaid debit cards or bank accounts under the men's control.

Taylor and Runsewe at least attempted to claim more than $40,000 in fraudulent tax refund requests, according Uncle Sam.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2022/12/06/identity_thieves_accused_irs/