A Cary resident has been sentenced to over five years in federal prison due to involvement in access device fraud and aggravated identity theft. Ibrahim Abiodun Aderounmu, aged 27, will serve a 61-month term following his guilty plea entered on November 4, 2024. Apart from the prison term, Aderounmu is required to pay $536,782 in restitution to affected individuals.
Court documents and testimony revealed that between 2020 and 2022, Aderounmu orchestrated multiple fraudulent activities involving personal identifying information (PII) theft nationwide. These activities resulted in attempted financial losses exceeding $650,000.
A significant part of Aderounmu's schemes included using stolen PII to apply for numerous Chase Bank business credit card accounts. Upon approval, physical credit cards were delivered to Aderounmu’s Cary apartment, which he then utilized for various purchases.
The investigation led to obtaining a search warrant for his residence, uncovering more than 400 access devices, including debit cards for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. Fraudulent applications for UI benefits were filed using victim PII across several states including North Carolina, California, Nevada, and Arizona. Approved benefits were loaded onto debit cards and dispatched to addresses managed by Aderounmu and collaborators. Surveillance footage captured him withdrawing these benefits from ATMs in Raleigh, Cary, and other parts of Eastern North Carolina.
Additionally, the seized access devices comprised multiple USAA debit cards under victim names. The probe indicated that PII was used to open USAA accounts linked to Aderounmu’s addresses. These accounts were funded with fraudulent check deposits, from which funds were withdrawn at various ATMs.
The case conclusion was announced by Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan presided over the sentencing. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam F. Hulbig handling the prosecution.
For further information, related court documents are accessible via the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina website or through PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-222-FL.