{"id":667928,"date":"2026-03-20T00:08:15","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T00:08:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/667928\/"},"modified":"2026-03-20T00:08:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T00:08:15","slug":"la-scammers-used-fake-death-certificates-costco-card-to-steal-identities-and-score-millions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/667928\/","title":{"rendered":"LA scammers used fake death certificates, Costco card to steal identities and score millions"},"content":{"rendered":"

A crew of alleged con artists pulled off a brazen, multi-million-dollar scheme<\/a> by turning elderly homeowners into unwitting pawns \u2014 stealing their identities and using them to milk lenders dry, federal prosecutors say.<\/p>\n

According to a newly unsealed indictment, the group didn\u2019t rely on smash-and-grab tactics<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Instead, they ran a meticulous, paper-heavy operation built on deception, forged documents, and impersonation \u2014 all designed to make bogus loan applications look airtight.<\/p>\n

A crew of alleged con artists pulled off a brazen, multi-million-dollar scheme. Carlin Stiehl for CA Post<\/p>\n

According to a newly unsealed indictment, the group didn\u2019t rely on smash-and-grab tactics. Carlin Stiehl for CA Post<\/p>\n

The playbook was chillingly simple: gain the trust of older victims, extract sensitive personal information<\/a>, then weaponize it.<\/p>\n

In one case, the suspects allegedly duped a victim into handing over a check and a photo of their driver\u2019s license. That was all they needed. <\/p>\n

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From there, they spun up fake email accounts in the victim\u2019s name<\/a> and flooded lenders with phony paperwork \u2014 bank statements, utility bills, even business records.<\/p>\n

When questions arose, they doubled down. Prosecutors say the crew fabricated a Costco card for one victim and even produced a fake death certificate for another to seal the deal.<\/p>\n

Eleven defendants \u2013 including two foreign nationals \u2013 were arrested Thursday on a 15-count federal indictment. FBI<\/p>\n

Authorities say the group relied on a mix of fake identities \u2014 sometimes blending real victim data with fictional details. Carlin Stiehl for CA Post<\/p>\n

In one case, the suspects allegedly duped a victim into handing over a check and a photo of their driver\u2019s license. Carlin Stiehl for CA Post<\/p>\n

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It worked. The scammers walked away with a $35,000 check.<\/p>\n

In another instance, the group allegedly obtained a victim\u2019s full identity profile \u2014 including Social Security and bank account numbers \u2014 and used forged passports and doctor\u2019s letters to pose as legitimate representatives. That deception netted them a staggering $600,000 loan tied to the victim\u2019s properties.<\/p>\n

But their most audacious score came from an elaborate scheme involving multiple homes. <\/p>\n

Using a stolen Colorado driver\u2019s license, the suspects allegedly created fake rental agreements and tax returns to make it appear the victim was flush with income. They opened bank accounts in the victim\u2019s name and applied for loans across four properties.<\/p>\n

Ciaran McEvoy, the Public Information Officer at the US Attorney\u2019s Office, speaks to the press on Thursday. Carlin Stiehl for CA Post<\/p>\n

The payoff: more than $4.7 million in disbursements.<\/p>\n

Authorities say the group relied on a mix of fake identities \u2014 sometimes blending real victim data with fictional details \u2014 to open accounts and funnel money through a maze of shell channels.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe defendants didn\u2019t just steal identities, they used those stolen identities to secure high value real estate loans, fabricate financial documents, and move millions of dollars through a maze of fraudulent businesses and funnel accounts,\u201d said Tyler Hatcher, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-CI Los Angeles Field Office.<\/p>\n

All told, the scheme racked up about $17.4 million in intended losses \u2014 with roughly $6 million actually stolen before the alleged operation was shut down.<\/p>\n

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