This is one identity thief who was going full out. An Atlanta woman stole the identity of an NBA player and tried to apply for a $2.5 million loan.
Annie Ford, 51, pleaded guilty in US District Court in New Jersey to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. According to NJ US Attorney Craig Carpenito’s office in a statement, the woman faces at least 20 years in prison.
“In October and November 2013, Ford made fraudulent documents using the name of the victim, who at the time was a professional basketball player and a New Jersey resident, according to the indictment. The NBA player was not named in the indictment,” CNN reported.
Listen to GHOGH with Jamarlin Martin | Episode 68: Jamarlin Martin Jamarlin talks about the recent backlash against Lebron James for not speaking up for Joshua Wong and the violent Hong Kong protestors.
Ford went as far as forging the baller’s signature on various documents used in the loan application.
“She routed the documents through multiple intermediaries, including an unnamed resident of Las Vegas, an unnamed financier in New Jersey and a New Jersey-based corporation, before they reached their final destination: a New York financial institution that provides “alternative financing to business and individuals,” Newsweek reported.
Ford was well organized in her fraud schemes. In 2009, she established the Community Development Consulting Group. It’s listed as a non-profit organization that’s based in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Ford used its financial accounts in order to perpetuate the fraud.
“The wire fraud charge carries a punishment of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, the US attorney’s office said. Ford faces up to two years in prison for aggravated identity theft charge, which would be served consecutively to any other prison term,” CNN reported.
Ford’s sentencing hearing is set for March 4, 2020.
