A scam analyst for the New York City  , Department of Homeless Services , stole poor person’s personal information during the COVID pandemic, finally sold that information to an identification theft scam, federal officials allege.
Brooklyn native Olabanji Otufale, 41, abused his position by accessing titles, dates of birth, Social Security numbers and pictures of more than 10 area poor people, according to an indictment unsealed on Wednesday.
He therefore peddled that information to New Jersey native Mark Lazarre, who in turn stole the survivors ‘ names so he could file , COVID employment claims , with the express Department of Labor, the government allege.
Lazarre is currently in jail for a national bank fraud case in New Jersey. She has a history of identity theft beliefs and, according to national authorities, once took out a lease in a dying child’s name.
In one instance, on Oct. 6, 2020, Otufale sent Lazarre a picture of a position ID cards, complete with personal information, as well as a photo of a computer screen with more information, including that woman’s Social Security number, according to the accusation.
The victim therefore requested unemployment insurance in Lazarre’s title, claiming that the Department of Labor sent him a KeyBank debit cards.
The feds claim that Otufale and Lazarre benefited from the federal CARES act, a plan to create an economic stimulus package in the wake of the pandemic that provided more than$ 2 trillion in emergency COVID relief.
In 2020, the year of his alleged crime, Otufale earned a roughly$ 69, 000 salary in his DHS job, and took home more than$ 84, 500 after time and other pay, records show.
Last year, he brought home$ 151, 000, which included more than$ 58, 000 in overtime, according to payroll data.
He started working for DHS in 2015, documents show. No comment on the request for company associates.
Both men were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity fraud, which is punishable by a two-year mandatory minimum statement.
Otufale awaits trial in Brooklyn Federal Court, while Lazarre remains held , on the New Jersey costs.
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