FBI: Bronx Fraud Ring Targeted Puerto Rican Residents
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Nine Bronx residents are among 11 people charged with stealing the identities of Puerto Rican residents in what the FBI says was a well-organized tax fraud ring.
Eight suspects were arrested, one was already in custody in an unrelated case. Two others are still on the loose.
Investigators say the group used legitimate social security numbers of the Puerto Ricans to file tax returns and collect funds in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Officials say between 2006 and 2008, the ring applied for more than $18 million in tax refunds.
"If you reside in Puerto Rico and don't earn income in the mainland, you're not required to file a return with the IRS. So knowing that, these defendants figured the odds were great that there wouldn't be duplicate returns filed," said FBI Spokesperson Jim Margolin.
Federal agents say the group even rented residences in the states where the refund checks would be sent.
The defendants each face up to 47 years in prison on charges ranging from conspiracy to defraud the government to conspiracy to commit mail fraud.