BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — A 31-year-old man from Nigeria has been sentenced to three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to stealing over $197,000 in unemployment funds provided by the 2020 Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said that Daniel Jibunor stole at least ten people’s identities and filed fraudulent unemployment claims in four states: California, Arizona, Nevada and Illinois. Jibunor would use the unemployment debit cards to make ATM withdrawals and to purchase money orders at various businesses including Kroger, Walmart and the U.S. Post Office.
Jibunor was eventually caught and arrested on Sept. 11, 2020, at a Bloomington Kroger where he’d been attempting to purchase $1,850 in Western Union money orders under a fake debit card. Bloomington police ended up searching his person and vehicle and found two fake unemployment debit cards, two fake debit cards, a GoBank Green Dot card, approximately $12,980 in cash and 21 money orders totaling $19,540.
In total, Jibunor stole at least $197,613 from the unemployment officers of California, Arizona, Nevada and Illinois as well as the federal government.
“At the height of the global pandemic, this defendant decided to steal emergency funds intended to be a vital lifeline for families in need,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.Nearly $100 billion stolen in pandemic relief funds, Secret Service says
“Stealing identities and relief money during a disaster is a despicable crime that merits serious punishment,” he added. “The federal prison sentence imposed today demonstrates that the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to finding the criminals who have defrauded COVID-19 emergency response programs and holding them accountable.”
As part of his sentencing, Jibunor was ordered to pay the full amount of stolen money back in restitution. He was also ordered to serve one year of probation following his release from federal prison.
Categories: Indiana News, National and World, News
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER NOW
Support MATAZ ARISING’ journalism of integrity and credibility.
Good journalism ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
We ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
TEXT AD: To advertise here – Email ad@matazarising.com
LATEST POSTS
-
Tinubu has outperformed Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan, Buhari combined — APC spokesperson
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, has said President Bola Tinubu has performed better than Olusegun Obasanjo and every other democratically elected president in Nigeria’s history. Morka made the claim on Monday during an interview on Channels Television while defending the performance of the Tinubu administration…
-
Tinubu orders security agencies to launch coordinated rescue operation after Niger mass abduction
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas ABUJA — PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has ordered the armed forces, the police, the department of state services, and all relevant security and intelligence agencies to immediately begin a coordinated rescue operation for the victims of the recent mass abduction in Niger State. President Tinubu expressed outrage over the abduction and killing of…
-
US to revoke visas of Nigerians, other foreigners who seek asylum after entering as visitors
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas The administration of US President Donald Trump has announced plans to revoke the non-immigrant visas of foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum in the United States. The move is the latest in a sweeping immigration crackdown by the Trump administration, which has targeted both undocumented and legal immigration.…
