Canadian Citizen Sentenced to 54 Months in Prison for Engaging in COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Unemployment Insurance Benefits Fraud Scheme

Strategic Insights -

A Canadian citizen, Joseph Osei, was sentenced to 54 months in prison for engaging in a fraudulent scheme to obtain COVID-19 pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits using stolen identities. Osei, 30, formerly of Albany, was found guilty on all counts, including four counts of mail fraud, one count of access device fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. The trial evidence showed that from August 2020 through November 2020, Osei fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits from the New York State Department of Labor worth more than $200,000. Additionally, Osei's schemes to defraud the state workforce agencies of California, Rhode Island, and Arizona using stolen identities to apply for and obtain pandemic unemployment insurance benefits were uncovered.

Key Takeaways:

  • Joseph Osei, a 30-year-old Canadian citizen, was sentenced to 54 months in prison for engaging in a COVID-19 pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits fraud scheme using stolen identities.
  • The trial evidence showed that Osei fraudulently obtained over $200,000 in unemployment insurance benefits from the New York State Department of Labor from August 2020 through November 2020.
  • Osei's schemes to defraud state workforce agencies in California, Rhode Island, and Arizona using stolen identities to apply for and obtain pandemic unemployment insurance benefits were also uncovered.
  • Osei was found guilty on all counts, including four counts of mail fraud, one count of access device fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.
  • The sentencing also included a 3-year term of supervised release, restitution to the State of New York and State of Arizona in the total amount of $211,360, and forfeiture of a money judgment.
  • Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated that Osei's actions were a callous and calculated exploitation of critical relief programs, undermining the purpose of programs designed to help those in need.
  • The relief programs that Osei stole from were created as lifelines during the COVID pandemic, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service will relentlessly pursue those who misuse the mail for fraud.

Statistics:

  • $200,000: The amount of unemployment insurance benefits fraudulently obtained by Osei from the New York State Department of Labor from August 2020 through November 2020.
  • $211,360: The total amount of restitution ordered for the State of New York and State of Arizona.
  • 54 months: The prison sentence given to Osei.
  • 3 years: The supervised release term ordered after Osei's release from prison.

Sources:

  • United States Attorneys General
  • Albany, New York -- Joseph Osei, a/k/a/ "Kyngjo," age 30, a Canadian citizen formerly of Albany, was sentenced on Tuesday to 54 months in prison for engaging in a fraudulent scheme to obtain COVID-19 pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits using stolen identities.
  • Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Boston Division; Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge, Northeast Region, United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG), made the announcement.