An indictment was unsealed today in Oakland, charging three Indiana residents with conspiracy related to a SIM-swapping operation. The accused individuals, Indigo Kiara Graham, Cortez Tarmar Crawford, and Trevon Demar Allen, were arrested and appeared in federal court in South Bend, Indiana.
The indictment filed on November 7, 2024, alleges that Graham, 27; Crawford, 22; and Allen, 30; all from Elkhart, Indiana, conspired with others to profit by targeting victims for SIM swaps. A SIM card stores authentication information for mobile devices. In a SIM swap scheme, the criminal transfers the victim's mobile service to a SIM card controlled by them. This allows them to impersonate the victim and access accounts by receiving password reset codes.
The alleged activities took place from April 2023 to May 2024. The defendants are accused of creating fraudulent identification documents and performing SIM swaps for money. They allegedly accessed victims' data and funds using fraudulently obtained two-factor authentication codes and extorted money in exchange for restoring access to data. The funds were reportedly concealed through cryptocurrency transactions. Graham and Crawford face additional charges of aggravated identity theft linked to incidents at a mobile service provider store in El Cerrito, California.
All three defendants have been released on bail and are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kandis A. Westmore on December 4, 2024.
United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp announced the charges.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation of criminal activity; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted on the conspiracy charge in count one, each defendant could face up to five years of imprisonment along with fines and other penalties. Graham and Crawford could also face additional sentences if convicted of aggravated identity theft.
Sentencing would be determined based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines following conviction under federal statute 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle J. Kane is leading the prosecution with assistance from Kathy Tat as part of an FBI investigation.