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VA: Brothers Sentenced for Leading Bank Fraud and ID Theft Scheme

Posted on November 6, 2015 by Dissent

Ray Ekobena, 27, of Alexandria, and his brother, Stefan Ekobena, 24, of Atlanta, were sentenced today for leading a five-year check fraud and identity theft conspiracy.  Co-conspirator Rodney Hardy, 25, of Hyattsville, Maryland, was also sentenced today for his role in the scheme.

According to statements of fact filed with the plea agreements, Ray Ekobena and his younger brother, Stefan Ekobena, printed fraudulent checks using victims’ bank account information.  The Ekobenas’ obtained this information by enlisting bank tellers and other insiders who had access to sensitive personal information through their employment.  Co-conspirators such as Rodney Hardy, Jerome Johnson, Gani Cole, Deallto Davis and Alan Lamin furthered the conspiracy by depositing the fraudulent checks into bank accounts under false names and withdrawing the resulting funds before the banks discovered the fraud.  Ray Ekobena also obtained loans in the names of his identity theft victims to buy luxury vehicles including a Bentley, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi, and a tractor-trailer.

In total, the conspiracies victimized over 200 individuals and caused an actual loss amount of $712,231, and an intended loss amount of over $1.25 million. Victims include well-known small businesses and charities, including the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Children’s National Medical Center.

Name Age Hometown Sentencing Details
Ray Ekobena 27 Alexandria Sentenced today to 104 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Ordered to forfeit $712,231.22 and pay that amount in restitution.
Stefan Ekobena 24 Atlanta, Georgia Sentenced today to 66 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Ordered to forfeit $199,808.29 and pay that amount in restitution.
Rodney Hardy 25 Hyattsville, Maryland Sentenced today to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Ordered to forfeit $20,618.41 and pay that amount in restitution.
Jerome Johnson 32 Washington, D.C. Sentencing scheduled for Dec. 4, 2015
Deallto Davis 20 Washington, D.C. Sentencing scheduled for Dec. 4, 2015
Gani Cole 27 Atlanta, Georgia Sentencing scheduled for

Jan. 22, 2015

Alan Lamin 25 Washington, D.C. Sentenced on July 8, 2015 to 54 months in prison. Ordered to forfeit $124,640.87 and pay that amount in restitution.

 

SOURCE: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Virginia

Category: Breach IncidentsFinancial SectorHealth DataID TheftInsiderMiscellaneousU.S.

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