Willimantic Resident Who Created Fake Identity Pleads Guilty to Social Security Fraud

Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that AMJAD IQBAL, also known as “Asif Ali,” 38, a citizen of Pakistan lawfully residing in the United States in Willimantic, Connecticut, pleaded guilty today before Senior United States District Judge Peter C. Dorsey in New Haven to one count of Social Security fraud.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, on June 13, 2001, IQBAL, using a counterfeit Pakistani passport and Immigration and Naturalization Employment Card in the name of Asif Ali, filed an application for a Social Security card at the Social Security District Office in Manhattan, New York. IQBAL stated on his application that he had never received a Social Security Number before, which was a material misrepresentation in that AMJAD IQBAL had previously received a Social Security number in his own name. Based upon IQBAL’s misrepresentation, the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration issued a Social Security Number to him in the name of Asif Ali.

On February 3, 2006, IQBAL applied for a Capital One Platinum Visa Card in the name of Asif Ali. In the application, IQBAL used the Social Security number issued in the name of Asif Ali that he fraudulently obtained in June 2001.

Judge Dorsey has scheduled sentencing for January 4, 2010, at which time IQBAL faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This matter has been investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General; the Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service; the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Willimantic Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul H. McConnell.