ATLANTA (AP) - A former tax preparer has been sentenced to more than 20 years in prison in an identity and tax fraud scheme.
Federal prosecutors say 28-year-old Bernando Davis, of Stockbridge, claimed more than $19 million dollars in fraudulent refunds by using stolen identities to file federal tax returns.
Prosecutors say Davis and two co-conspirators who have already pleaded guilty and have been sentenced told thousands of victims they could apply for “government stimulus payments” and “free government money” by giving them their names and Social Security numbers. Prosecutors say they also used the identities of prisoners and people living in homeless shelters.
Authorities say Davis and the others used toll-free numbers, web sites, flyers and radio advertisements to solicit victims. Investigators say more than 15,000 people were targeted in the scheme.
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