Woman Sentenced for Role in COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits Fraud Scheme
A California woman was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for participating in a conspiracy to fraudulently acquire COVID-19 unemployment benefits.
From June 2021 through March 2022, Sasha Lizette Jimenez, 26, and her accomplices used stolen identities purchased on the dark web to fraudulently obtain approximately $2.8 million in unemployment insurance benefits from the California Employment Development Department (EDD).
After acquiring the stolen personal identifying information (PII), Jimenez and her accomplices used it to fill fraudulent EDD applications. They used addresses under their control while filling out the applications.
Once approved, the EDD would credit the benefits into the accounts created under the victims names. Bank of America would then issue debit cards linked to the EDD accounts created under the victims' names. Jimenez and her co-conspirators would then use the debit cards to make withdrawals from the accounts via ATMs at different locations.
In total, Jimenez and her co-conspirators received approximately $2,804,508 in fraudulent unemployment benefits. They managed to withdraw $2,304,203 from the fraudulent EDD debit accounts.
In addition to the unemployment benefits fraud scheme, Jimenez participated in a check fraud scheme led by her boyfriend, 26-year-old Meshach Samuels. In the scheme, Jimenez and her accomplices acquired victims' information from an employee of an undisclosed financial institution. They would then create fraudulent checks that debited the victims' accounts. They cashed out the checks via bank accounts under their control.
Jimenez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud on May 22, 2023.
In addition to the three years and five months in prison, Jimenez was ordered to pay $2,304,203 in restitution.
From June 2021 through March 2022, Sasha Lizette Jimenez, 26, and her accomplices used stolen identities purchased on the dark web to fraudulently obtain approximately $2.8 million in unemployment insurance benefits from the California Employment Development Department (EDD).
After acquiring the stolen personal identifying information (PII), Jimenez and her accomplices used it to fill fraudulent EDD applications. They used addresses under their control while filling out the applications.
Once approved, the EDD would credit the benefits into the accounts created under the victims names. Bank of America would then issue debit cards linked to the EDD accounts created under the victims' names. Jimenez and her co-conspirators would then use the debit cards to make withdrawals from the accounts via ATMs at different locations.
In total, Jimenez and her co-conspirators received approximately $2,804,508 in fraudulent unemployment benefits. They managed to withdraw $2,304,203 from the fraudulent EDD debit accounts.
In addition to the unemployment benefits fraud scheme, Jimenez participated in a check fraud scheme led by her boyfriend, 26-year-old Meshach Samuels. In the scheme, Jimenez and her accomplices acquired victims' information from an employee of an undisclosed financial institution. They would then create fraudulent checks that debited the victims' accounts. They cashed out the checks via bank accounts under their control.
Jimenez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud on May 22, 2023.
In addition to the three years and five months in prison, Jimenez was ordered to pay $2,304,203 in restitution.
