A DeKalb County man and woman face several federal charges in an alleged identify-theft scheme that authorities say affected more than 100 college students.
Maario Coleman, 27, of Decatur, and Angela Russell, 42, of Dunwoody, are accused of obtaining thousands of dollars by stealing the identities of law and medical students.
Investigators think they checked university websites and attended graduation ceremonies to compile a list of potential victims. Then, they allegedly stole personal information from more than 100 students and obtained an estimated $200,000 worth of loans in their names.
The scheme unraveled when several Emory University students contacted campus police, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Friday.
“The alleged actions of these two defendants demonstrates how every member of our community is vulnerable to identity theft and computer intrusions,” U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said in an emailed statement. “The potential for causing damage to Emory students’ financial and professional futures cannot be overstated. We continue to work aggressively to combat this problem.”
The indictment charges Coleman with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, three counts of aggravated identity theft, one count of computer fraud, and one count of tampering with computers and documents. Russell is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of tampering with computers and documents. Both could face years of prison time and fines, Yates’ office said.
The attorney’s office said Coleman and Russell obtained birth dates and Social Security numbers from online databases and used that information to apply for loans at Discover Bank. Authorities say students’ transcripts were provided to Discover and phony bank accounts were created in the students’ names so the money could be deposited.
On Nov. 6, federal agents and local officers interviewed Russell at his apartment, Yates said. When the agents left and returned to the apartment, they found Russell and Coleman attempting to burn and destroy documents and computer equipment.
As the investigation continues, police are asking anyone who may have been a victim to contact police.
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