They allegedly checked university websites and attended graduation ceremonies to compile a list of potential victims. Then, the DeKalb County pair went to work, allegedly stealing personal information from more than 100 students and obtaining an estimated $200,000 worth of loans in their names, according to federal investigators.
But the scheme unraveled when several Emory University students contacted campus police, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Friday. Now the pair has been arraigned in federal court.
“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.”
Maario Coleman, 27, of Decatur, and Angela Russell, 42, of Dunwoody, each face multiple charges for allegedly operating a scheme to obtain thousands of dollars by stealing the identities of law and medical students.
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.
After getting names of students graduating, Coleman and Russell obtained dates of birth and Social Security numbers from online databases and used that information to apply for loans at Discover Bank, according to the attorney’s office. The scheme involved obtaining students’ transcripts to provide to Discover and creating phony bank accounts 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.
The investigation into the case continues, and anyone that may have been a victim is asked to contact police.
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