Delaware County Man Charged In Fraud Scheme

PHILADELPHIA - Jean Baptiste Alvarez, a/k/a “Alex,” 43, of Aldan, PA, was charged yesterday by superseding indictment with conspiracy to defraud the United States with respect to claims, aggravated identity theft, misuse of Social Security number, and aiding or assisting in tax preparation of false federal income tax returns, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

According to the indictment, Alvarez and “PR,” charged elsewhere, engaged in a scheme to obtain payment of false, fictitious, and fraudulent claims through the preparation and filing of false U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns.  Alvarez allegedly stole and improperly obtained from a health care facility the personal identifying information, including names and SSNs of individuals, without the knowledge of those individuals.  It is further alleged that Alvarez sold and distributed the above-described stolen personal identifying information, including names and SSNs, to be used on tax returns for the purpose of obtaining payment of false claims through the filing of fraudulent tax returns in the names of the stolen identities.  Alvarez, “PR” and others allegedly obtained fraudulent tax refunds by using the stolen names and SSNs of those individuals.  

If convicted, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison with a maximum possible sentence of 44 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, a possible fine, and a $1,100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigations and the FBI.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Terri A. Marinari.

An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.