Miami Resident Convicted in Identity Theft Tax Refund Scheme

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Paula Reid, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service (USSS); Michael J. DePalma, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); and Michael B. Steinbach, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, announce that defendant Math Benjamin, 33, of Miami, was convicted on two counts charged in the third superseding indictment.

Defendant Benjamin was found guilty on Friday, August 23, 2013, of one count of theft of government funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 641 and 2, and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1028A(a)(1) and 2.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Benjamin received multiple fraudulent tax refunds into his bank accounts. These fraudulent tax refunds were obtained by using the personal identification information of individuals without their permission.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 6, 2013, before U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke. At sentencing, Benjamin faces up to 10 years in prison for the theft of government funds to be served consecutively by two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Identity Theft Tax Refund Strike Force, with special commendation to the USSS, IRS-CI, and the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gera Peoples and Cristina Moreno.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.