Pair Used IRS Data-Retrieval Tool in $12 Million Scam, Indictment Says

June 9, 2017
  • Industry News

Two men were indicted on Wednesday on 23 federal charges related to a $12-million identity-theft conspiracy that used the personal information of students applying for federal financial aid.

According to the indictment, the men, Taiwo K. Onamuti, 29, of Doraville, Ga., and Muideen A. Adebule, 49, of Indianapolis, used the Free Application for Federal Student Aid’s data-retrieval tool, which allows students to electronically fill out tax information while applying for grants and scholarships. In March the IRS and the Department of Education shelved the tool after identifying security risks. Last month Diverse: Issues in Higher Education reported that someone had attempted to view President Trump’s tax returns using the tool.

Read more at The Chronicle of Higher Education: http://www.chronicle.com/blogs/ticker/pair-used-irs-data-retrieval-tool-in-12-million-scam-indictment-says/118865