Crime & Safety

Smyrna Man Indicted for Tax Fraud, Identity Theft

Mauricio Warner filed more than 5,000 false claims for "stimulus money" and claimed over $6 million in bogus refunds, says U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates.

A 37-year-old Smyrna man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for stealing the identities of thousands of individuals and filing more than 5,000 false tax return claims, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Authorities said that Mauricio Warner claimed over $6 million in bogus refunds from January, 2011 to April, 2012, using the identities he stole from thousands of people. Warner allegedly told the victims to submit an application and provide their names and social security numbers in order to receive a “stimulus payment” or “free government money”.

“This defendant and identity thieves like him steal millions in taxpayer dollars every year,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. “We have seen a decided trend in identity thieves turning to phony IRS refunds instead of more traditional credit card fraud schemes, and have allocated increased resources to reverse this trend.”  

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In some instances, Warner allegedly used toll-free telephone numbers to collect victims’ personal identifying information. He then used the victims’ names and social security numbers to claim millions of dollars in fraudulent refunds. The victims did not know tax returns were being filed in their names.  

Additionally, officials have seized seven bank accounts controlled by Warner that contain $4,185,455.31 in funds believed to be derived from or involved in this scheme.  

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Warner was arraigned in front of United States Magistrate Judge Linda T. Walker Tuesday on the charges. The indictment charges 16 counts of wire fraud, 16 counts of aggravated identity theft, 16 counts of filing false claims, and 2 counts of money laundering. 

Each wire fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, each false claim count carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison, and each money laundering count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The aggravated identity theft charges carry at least one mandatory two-year consecutive sentence to any other sentence imposed. Each count also carries a fine of up to $250,000. 

Authorities are also seeking the forfeiture of all funds derived from or involved in this scheme. If you believe you may be a victim of tax return-related identity theft please contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490, extension 245, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.


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