Federal court orders Indianapolis business to cease preparing tax returns
A federal investigation into Juan Santiago’s activities revealed an alleged “recurring pattern of fraudulent tax preparation practices.”
Fraud
Two former Indiana correctional officers sentenced for stealing inmates’ identities
The pair stole at least five inmates’ personally identifiable information, including names, dates of birth, and social security numbers, authorities said. They were accused of using the stolen identities to open at least nine accounts at various Indiana banks using fraudulent passports.
Americans lost $5.6B last year in cryptocurrency fraud scams, FBI says
The FBI received nearly 70,000 complaints in 2023 by victims of financial fraud involving bitcoin, ether and other cryptocurrencies.
Financial firm with Fishers office accused of operating Ponzi scheme
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has obtained a preliminary injunction and asset freeze against Drive Planning LLC, which is accused of operating a $300 million Ponzi scheme.
Credit union regulator issues employment ban against Carmel man
Jose Prado-Valero of Carmel pleaded guilty to financial institution fraud in April and is serving a federal prison term.
Rokita warns of potential scams arising from attempted assassination
Rokita encouraged Hoosiers to exercise caution anytime they receive solicitations related to high-profile news events that scammers might attempt to exploit.
Amazon Prime Day a big event for scammers, experts warn
Consumers reported losing about $10 billion to fraud in 2023, a 14% jump from 2022. Online shopping scams were the second most-reported form of fraud.
Scammers swiping billions from Americans every year, and most get away with it
Victims rarely get their money back, including older people who have lost life savings to romance scams, grandparent scams, technical support fraud and other common grifts.
Financial firm with central Indiana ties faces FBI investigation, civil lawsuits
Capstone Capital Management LLC is also facing multiple civil suits filed by investors who say they were deceived by Capstone and lost money as a result.
IRS says ‘vast majority’ of 1M pandemic-era credit claims show risk of being improper
The Employee Retention Credit was designed to help businesses retain employees during pandemic-era shutdowns, but it quickly became a magnet for fraud.
Former Indianapolis-area insurance broker sentenced to prison for $4M Ponzi scheme
Former insurance broker Brian Simms perpetrated the fraud through his company, Brendanwood Financial Brokerage LLC in Carmel.
Indy auto dealer sentenced to 3 years in $5.6M international fraud scheme
Investigators say Tochukwu Nwosisi, who owns used car dealership Indy Rides LLC, served as a money launderer who accepted victim funds into his bank accounts and directed the proceeds to the ringleaders in Nigeria.
Carmel man agrees to guilty plea in $952,000 theft case
Nathaniel Wills of Carmel is accused of stealing nearly $1 million from his former employer, Anderson-based Indiana Flooring and Linoleum Co. Inc.
Tindley Accelerated Schools’ former CEO charged with defrauding charter network
Brian Metcalf, who served as CEO of Indianapolis-based Tindley Accelerated Schools from July 2019 to December 2022, was charged with nine counts of wire fraud.
Ex-podiatry office manager handed 5-year fraud sentence
Investigators said Leslie Smith engaged in multiple fraud schemes against her employer, relatives, and the government.
Using AI, Mastercard expects to find compromised cards quicker
In its latest software update, Mastercard is integrating artificial intelligence into its fraud-prediction technology that it expects will be able to see patterns in stolen cards faster and allow banks to replace them before they are used by criminals.
Carmel man sentenced for role in $2.1M institutional fraud scheme
A 35-year-old Carmel man has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison after helping steal more than $2.1 million from a credit union, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday.
Former Medicaid supervisor sentenced to 18 months in federal prison
Yolanda Brooks, 52, of Indianapolis was also ordered to serve three years on probation after her prison stay and pay $920,148.51 in restitution.
Shopping center exec arrested on fraud charges
Indiana native Jonathan Larmore, whose real estate company held numerous shopping centers in central Indiana, was arrested Thursday on fraud charges related to an alleged $77 million scheme to inflate WeWork Inc.’s stock price.
Woman indicted on fraud charges after $1M theft from employer
A former employee at a Greenfield repair shop is accused of stealing the funds from the business between 2016 and 2022. Now, she’s been indicted on five counts of wire fraud as a result.