stanforddams/biglocal huggingface dataset:
January 21, 2025Rochester, NY, United StatesFinancial Crimes

New York Man faces new charges for financial fraud following HSI Buffalo investigation

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A New York man who pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud in April 2024 faces new charges after an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Buffalo.

Timothy Siverd, 37, of Webster, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with wire fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,00 fine, the U.S. District Court for the District of Western New York announced Jan. 16, 2025.

“Our investigation shows Siverd, who is currently awaiting sentencing for involvement in another financial fraud scheme, allegedly continued to indulge his greed through additional involvement in fraudulent activities,” said HSI Buffalo Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan. “Together with our partner, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, we take the complaint against Siverd seriously and aim to bring justice to victims of financial fraud schemes.”

According to the investigation, in August 2024, an individual reported to law enforcement that Siverd, who owns ROC Scrubby, was using the cleaning company to over-bill customers in excess of tens of thousands of dollars. The individual, an employee of ROC Scrubby, stated that as her employment carried on, she gradually started to hear more and more complaints from customers that they were being over-billed or double-billed for services, or billed for work that was never performed. She also stated that Siverd was able to over-bill customers using the BookingKoala app, which granted Siverd access to each customer’s credit or debit card information. In addition, the individual stated that Siverd would claim to fix the issue and refund money, but customers stated that he would either not refund the money, give a partial refund, or give a full refund only to again over-bill the customers on a later date. The employee knew of at least five customers who were overbilled so often that they changed their credit or debit card numbers to stop it. The employee also reported other suspicious activity of Siverd’s to law enforcement.

In April 2024, Siverd pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud for his involvement in another financial fraud scheme and is awaiting sentencing on that charge.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Updated: 02/06/2025
May 7, 2026New York, NY, United StatesCovid-19, Document and Benefit Fraud, Financial Crimes

New York man sentenced to prison for $1 million COVID-19 fraud following HSI task force investigation

Carmine Gotti Agnello fraudulently obtained multiple disaster relief loans and used the proceeds to invest in cryptocurrency

NEW YORK — A Homeland Security Investigations New York task force investigation, executed in partnership with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, has landed a Smithtown man 15 months in prison for defrauding the Small Business Administration of approximately $1.1 million in loans awarded under the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

U.S. District Judge Nusrat J. Choudhury ordered Carmine Gotti Agnello, 39, to serve one year and three months in prison followed by two years of supervised release. Choudhury also ordered Agnello to pay $1,268,302 in restitution to the SBA and perform 100 hours of community service.

“By fraudulently obtaining more than a million dollars in disaster relief loans and diverting those funds — including hundreds of thousands of dollars into cryptocurrency investments — the defendant misappropriated resources intended to keep legitimate businesses and their employees afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said HSI New York acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso. “HSI New York worked in close coordination with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York to uncover and dismantle this scheme. HSI remains steadfast in its commitment to investigating fraud and bringing to justice the criminal opportunists who seek to exploit federal relief programs at the expense of honest business owners and American taxpayers.”

This investigation was led by HSI New York and the USPIS New York Division, in close coordination with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.

Between April 2020 and November 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Agnello fraudulently applied for and received at least three Economic Injury Disaster loans totaling approximately $1.1 million, which he submitted on behalf of Crown Auto Parts & Recycling LLC, a Jamaica, Queens-based business he operated. Agnello submitted false information about the number of employees working for Crown and how he intended to use the money. Instead of using the funds for Crown, Agnello used them for himself, including by investing approximately $420,000 in a cryptocurrency business.

Learn more about this case on Justice.gov.

Updated: 05/07/2026
July 16, 2025Los Angeles, CA, United StatesCovid-19, Document and Benefit Fraud

Nigerian man sentenced to over 11 years in prison for fraudulently obtaining $1.3 million in COVID-19 jobless and disability benefits

LOS ANGELES — On July 10, 2023, a Nigerian man living in the San Gabriel Valley was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison for defrauding California and Nevada of $1.3 million in COVID-19 pandemic unemployment and disability insurance benefits. He achieved this by submitting more than 100 fraudulent applications using stolen identities and used the money to build a nightclub and mall in Nigeria.

Abiola Femi Quadri, 43, of Pasadena, was sentenced by United States District Judge George H. Wu, who also ordered him to pay $1,356,229 in restitution and a $35,000 fine.

Quadri is a Nigerian citizen who acquired permanent residency in the United States through what he described — according to court documents — as a “fake wedding” in messages to a woman who was not his wife. He pleaded guilty on Jan. 2 to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

Quadri withdrew the fraudulent unemployment and disability benefits at ATMs from 2021 until his arrest in September 2024 at Los Angeles International Airport, where he was scheduled to fly to Nigeria. Quadri sent at least $500,000 abroad during the scheme. He also paid for the construction of a 120-room resort hotel in Nigeria, the Oyins International, that includes a nightclub, a mall, and additional high-end amenities. Quadri failed to disclose his ownership of the hotel as required when completing his financial disclosure to the court.

Investigators found images of 17 counterfeit checks totaling more than $3.3 million on Quadri’s phone, along with messages discussing negotiations for the checks. Some of the checks were made payable to shell businesses held in the names of Quadri’s aliases. California paid Quadri to provide daycare services to developmentally disabled children through his Altadena-based business, Rock of Peace. When agents searched Quadri’s residence, they found the children’s misappropriated food-aid debit cards.

The United States Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, and the California Employment Development Department Investigation Division investigated this matter.

Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Brown of the Major Frauds Section prosecuted this case.

Updated: 07/16/2025
March 3, 2025Houston, TX, United StatesFinancial Crimes, Cyber Crimes

Nigerian national pleads guilty to operating $3M romance scheme that preyed on elderly, other vulnerable populations

HOUSTON – A Nigerian national who is in the U.S. illegally pleaded guilty Feb. 28 to multiple criminal charges related to his role in operating a romance scheme that defrauded more than $3 million from citizens nationwide, many of whom were elderly.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the multi-year investigation that led to the conviction.

Darlington Akporugo, a 47-year-old criminal alien from Nigeria, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud; and wire fraud, aiding and abetting.

“This individual and his co-conspirators preyed on the vulnerability of the elderly and recently widowed to defraud them of their hard-earned life savings,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz. “Thanks to the victims who bravely came forward to report this matter to law enforcement and the outstanding relationships that we have with our domestic and law enforcement partners abroad; we were able to expose this reprehensible scheme and hold the criminals involved in it accountable.”

In his plea, Akporugo admitted to being a central figure in a long-running romance scheme based in Houston that victimized citizens from Chicago to Kentucky. Akporugo worked with others to lure victims through online romances and then induce them to send money to various bank accounts he controlled.

To further the fraud, Akporugo and his co-conspirators used fake names to contact victims on social media, gain their confidence and then persuade them to invest in non-existent businesses or provide funds for invented personal circumstances.

As part of his plea, Akporugo admitted to approaching potential victims, primarily on social media sites such as Facebook, and then directing them to send money to either his or his associates’ bank accounts. That money was often then directed overseas.

In addition to collecting cash and wire transfers, Akpourgo also admitted to having victims open lines of credit in his name and, in one case, purchasing a luxury vehicle for his personal use.

During the investigation, authorities were able to identify more than 25 victims of the scheme, the majority were either retired or of advanced age.

Akporugo is scheduled to be sentenced June 6. At that time, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

He will remain in custody pending that hearing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Carter prosecuted the case.

Updated: 03/03/2025
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February 3, 2025Ocala, FL, United StatesChild Exploitation

Ocala man sentenced to 15 years for attempting to meet a minor for sexual activity

OCALA, Fla. — A Florida man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by a life term of supervised release, for attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Orlando.

Rickey Lee Miller, Jr., 45, of Ocala, plead guilty on Sept. 6, 2024, for attempting to entice what he thought was a 15-year-old girl on an online social media platform.

“Attempting to entice a minor into harmful activity is a serious crime, and this prosecution underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community,” said HSI Orlando Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Pezzutti. “Alongside our partners at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Ocala Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Chiefland Police Department, we will work tirelessly to hold offenders accountable and ensure that our children are safe from those who seek to exploit them.”

According to court documents, on July 27, 2024, a detective from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office posed as a 15-year-old girl on an online messaging platform. Miller contacted the undercover detective’s account and initially asked if she wanted to “hang out.” Miller then engaged in a sexually explicit conversation with the detective. During that conversation, Miller asked the detective if she would be interested in having “some fun” with Miller and a female friend. He also asked, “[W]ill you tell my friend your 18[?] I really don’t want her to know your real age.” When Miller subsequently drove to a predetermined location with his friend to meet with the minor for sex, he was arrested by law enforcement. The cellphone located in Miller’s vehicle was confirmed to be the phone communicating with the undercover detective.

This case was investigated by HSI Orlando, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Ocala Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Chiefland Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.

HSI Tampa’s area of responsibility, which includes 10 geographically strategic offices, covers more than 51,600 square miles of the total 65,757 square miles in the state of Florida. This region has more than 14.2 million people and includes 58 of the 67 counties. HSI Tampa also includes five of the 10 largest cities in Florida, 15 primary commercial service airports, and 11 seaports.

Learn more about HSI Tampa’s mission to increase public safety in Florida communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSITampa.

Updated: 06/13/2025
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January 30, 2025Philadelphia, PA, United StatesChild Exploitation

Pennsylvania man gets 10-year prison sentence for online enticement of minor following HSI Newark investigation

PHILADELPHIA, Penn. — A Pennsylvania man was sentenced to 120 months in prison for his conviction on online enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark.

Louis Goldenberg, 41, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced Jan. 27 at the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. He previously pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of attempted online enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution.

“Goldenberg’s sentence is a result of HSI’s commitment to protect vulnerable children from online child sexual exploitation and abuse,” said HSI Newark acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas. “Thanks to our long-standing partnership with the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office, the Mount Laurel Police Department, and the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, we were able to identify and remove this predator from our community.”

According to the investigation, in August 2023, Goldenberg began interacting on a messaging application with an undercover agent, who was posing as a middle-aged woman with a 12-year-old niece. From August through September 2023, Goldenberg messaged the undercover, continuously expressing interest in having sexual contact with the minor. During one of the conversations, Goldenberg indicated a specific hotel in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey where he wanted to have sex with the minor. On Sept. 18, 2023, Goldenberg traveled from Pennsylvania to the Mt. Laurel hotel, where he had a reservation for that evening. When Goldenberg arrived, he was arrested by law enforcement.

In addition to the prison term, Goldenberg was sentenced to five years of supervised release and was ordered to register as a sex offender.

Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSINewark to learn more about HSI’s global missions and operations.

Know2Protect (K2P) is a national public awareness campaign from the Department of Homeland Security. K2P’s aim is to educate and empower children, teens, parents, trusted adults, and policymakers to prevent, combat, and report online child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information, please visit our YouTube playlists at Know2Protect Campaign PSA Playlist and Know2Protect Digital Safety Series Playlist on the DHS main channel. Additional resources are available at know2protect.gov, Instagram, Facebook and X.

Updated: 05/19/2026
February 18, 2025Camden, NJ, United StatesFinancial Crimes

Pennsylvania man sentenced for role in burglary of 55 UPS warehouses following ICE investigation

CAMDEN, N.J. – The last of four Pennsylvania men who admitted their roles in a conspiracy to burglarize approximately 55 United Parcel Service warehouses was sentenced, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey, announced Feb. 13.

Aboudramane Karamoko, 21, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 39 months’ imprisonment followed by three years’ supervised release in Camden federal court Feb. 13. Three other defendants, all from Philadelphia, were previously sentenced. His accomplices Sekou Fofanah, 20, was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment followed by three years’ supervised release; Shamaire Brown, 19, was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment followed by three years’ supervised release; and Quamaire Brown, 19, was sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment followed by three years’ supervised release.

“Our incredible partnership with multiple agencies nationwide garnered sentencings that hold these thieves accountable for the over $1.6 million worth of merchandise they robbed from consumers,” said ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations Newark Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “We use every investigative tool available to safeguard the interstate and international commerce of the United States as well as our nation’s overall supply chain.”

As part of their sentences, all four defendants were ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,600,157.

According to the investigation, at least as early as January 2021 through at least as recently as April 2023, Fofanah, Brown, Brown, Karamoko, and others conspired to commit burglaries of UPS facilities throughout the United States, including warehouses in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Rhode Island, among other States. The defendants gained access to the UPS facilities by breaking the windows of the loading bay doors or prying open loading bay doors. Once inside, they sought parcels marked with “lithium-ion battery” warnings, which indicated that the packages contained high-value electronic devices, such as a cell phones.

Agencies nationwide supported ICE HSI Newark in the investigation leading to the sentencings including HSI offices in Philadelphia, State College, Rhode Island. Supporting New Jersey law enforcement agencies include the New Jersey State Police and the South Brunswick Police Department. Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies who assisted include the Pennsylvania State Police, the Centre County District Attorney’s Office, the State College Police Department, the Philadelphia Police Department and the Taylor Borough Police Department. New York agencies include the New York State Police, the Clarkstown Police Department and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office. Rhode Island’s Warwick Police Department, Michigan’s Livonia Police Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio’s Summit County Prosecutor’s Office and Connecticut’s Brookfield Police Department also assisted in the investigation.

Updated: 02/18/2025
April 3, 2025Yakima, WA, United StatesChild Exploitation

Previously convicted sex offender sentenced to federal prison for child pornography charges, following ICE investigation

YAKIMA, Wash. — A 39-year-old man from Ellensburg was sentenced March 26 to 180 months in prison on one count of receipt of child pornography, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Aaron Dollarhide will also serve five years of supervised release.

“This sentence marks a significant victory for our team and the community we serve. Our investigation, in close collaboration with local law enforcement, has exposed a predator who repeatedly endangered the lives of vulnerable children,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Seattle acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Murphy. “We are steadfast in our commitment to pursue those who exploit minors, and we will continue to leverage every resource at our disposal to ensure that justice is served.”

On Jan. 19, 2022, special agents with ICE HSI and Ellensburg police officers seized Dollarhide’s phone after serving a search warrant at his home. A thorough forensic examination of the device revealed Dollarhide had downloaded a folder of digital files containing child sexual abuse material the day prior. Investigators also located 687 additional videos on Dollarhide’s phone depicting children being sexually abused.

Dollarhide was previously convicted of second-degree child molestation in 2012.

“Today’s sentence reflects our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community and holding individuals accountable for exploiting children,” said acting United States Attorney Richard Barker. “Mr. Dollarhide’s actions of repeatedly downloading and possessing child pornography, despite a prior conviction for molesting a child, demonstrate a disturbing disregard for the safety and well-being of children. Our office will continue to pursue and prosecute those who exploit children, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that those who do harm young children will face the full consequences of their actions.”

Assistant United States Attorney Michael Murphy prosecuted the case.

Updated: 04/03/2025
February 28, 2025Orlando, FL, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

Previously deported Honduran arrested for illegal reentry

OCALA, Fla. – A Criminal complaint has been filed in the Middle District of Florida charging a previously deported illegal alien from Honduras with illegal reentry following an Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation.

Junior Alexander Sanabria-Barrera, 27, was previously removed from the United States in April 2023. Afterward, Sanabria-Barrera was found to be voluntarily in the United States when he was encountered by law enforcement in Sumter County, Florida, on Feb. 14, 2025. Sanabria-Barrera had not received the consent of the U.S. Attorney General or the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to apply for readmission to the United States.

This case is being investigated by Miami ICE officers in Orlando. It will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Belkis H. Callaos.

Updated: 02/28/2025
Learn how HSI is teaming up with our law enforcement partners and retailers to raise awareness of how Chinese organized crime groups are exploiting gift cards to launder money.

March 12, 2025Concord, NH, United StatesFinancial Crimes

Public Service Announcement: Victim identification in New Hampshire gift card scheme

CONCORD, N.H. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire, is seeking to identify potential victims of a sophisticated gift card fraud scheme for victim restitution purposes.

In December 2023, ICE Homeland Security Investigations, the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Concord, New Hampshire Police Department began investigating a sophisticated gift card fraud scheme that is perpetuated by criminal organizations in China. This network has established a base of operations in New Hampshire due to the State’s tax-free retail environment and is responsible for millions of dollars in consumer losses.

Co-conspirators identified in this region work together in a highly coordinated fashion to purchase high-end electronics utilizing stolen gift cards. These stolen gift cards are acquired though several fraudulent schemes, including elder-fraud, gift card tampering, and network intrusions. Once the electronics are purchased, they are re-packaged and shipped internationally where they are sold.

More information on this general fraud scheme.

Potential fraud victims who had gift card funds stolen or used without authorization between Oct. 1, 2023 and Jan. 11, 2024, especially if the stolen funds originated from Apple, Walmart, Target, and BestBuy gift cards, are asked to provide the gift card number(s) and receipt or proof of purchase to HSINewEnglandVictimAssistance@ice.dhs.gov. Please also include the victim’s name and contact phone number. Personal identifying information will only be viewed and used by law enforcement to assist in returning lost assets. The victim’s gift card number will be run against a database of known gift cards stolen in this conspiracy. If matched, the victim will be contacted for next steps in the restitution process. This filing period will be open until June 30, 2025.

Updated: 03/12/2025