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Fraud

Identity Thief Sentenced to 25 Months in Prison for Passport Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Truong Nguyen, a 50-year-old Vietnamese man residing in Braintree, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 25 months in prison for passport fraud and aggravated identity theft. Nguyen used the identity of a deceased minor victim, "HH," to obtain certifications to work as a paramedic and firefighter, and was employed at the Melrose Fire Department and the Norwell Firefighters Union.

Nguyen, who was previously ordered deported in 1995 for burglary, stole the identity of the victim and presented himself as "John Doe" to obtain multiple government-issued identification documents, including driver's licenses and a Social Security card. He used the stolen identity to attend the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy and secure employment with the Melrose Fire Department. Nguyen's use of the victim's identity was uncovered after a facial recognition determined that he had been issued Massachusetts driver's licenses under two separate identities.

Key Takeaways:

  • Truong Nguyen, a 50-year-old Vietnamese man, was sentenced to 25 months in prison for passport fraud and aggravated identity theft.
  • Nguyen used the identity of a deceased minor victim to obtain certifications to work as a paramedic and firefighter.
  • The victim died in Boston in 2002 at the age of 13, and Nguyen used their identity to obtain multiple government-issued identification documents, including driver's licenses and a Social Security card.
  • Nguyen was previously ordered deported in 1995 for burglary, but was not deported to Vietnam.
  • Nguyen was employed at the Melrose Fire Department and the Norwell Firefighters Union while using the stolen identity.
  • A facial recognition determined that Nguyen had been issued Massachusetts driver's licenses under two separate identities, leading to the discovery of the identity theft.
  • Nguyen claimed the victim's identity was his true identity during a RMV fraud hearing.

Statistics:

  • 25 months in prison was the length of Nguyen's sentence.
  • 1995 is the year Nguyen was ordered deported for burglary.
  • 2002 is the year the victim died.
  • 13 is the age of the victim when they died.
  • 2023 is the year Nguyen submitted a passport application in the victim's name.
  • $50,000 is the unsecured bond set for Nguyen in May 2024.
  • 3 licenses were issued to Nguyen in the name of the deceased victim, including a Massachusetts driver's license and a Social Security card.

Sources:

  • United States Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts.
  • The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV).
  • The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.
  • The Melrose Fire Department.
  • The Norwell Firefighters Union.
  • The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office.
  • The Norfolk County District Attorney's Office.

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