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July 14, 2023

Maryland Man Used Internal Revenue Service Systems to Defraud Banks of More Than $756,000

On June 22, 2023, in the District of Maryland, Oyeniyi Oworu was sentenced for bank fraud conspiracy.  

According to the court documents, beginning in February 2017 and continuing until July 2020, Oworu and conspirators fraudulently obtained checks to legitimate businesses, and then fraudulently registered the businesses to obtain State business certificates in names identical or similar to those of the legitimate businesses that the fraudulently obtained checks were made payable. Oworu and conspirators used the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) Modernized Internet Employer Identification Number in combination with over 50 individual victims’ Social Security numbers to obtain an employer identification number (EIN) for these businesses. The State business certificates and EINs enabled Oworu and coconspirators to open bank accounts in the names of shell companies they registered for the purpose of depositing the fraudulently obtained checks, and then withdrawing the proceeds. More than $756,000 was withdrawn from banks and split amongst all conspirators involved in the scheme.    

Oworu received 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years’ supervised release. Oworu was also ordered to pay $296,779.84 in restitution, and a $100 assessment.

Source:  The facts in this case narrative come from the following publicly available documents: D. Md., J., filed June 22, 2023 and D. Md., Plea Agr., filed December 5, 2022.