An aspiring rapper is among three people charged in a federal case alleging they stole more than $8.1 million through a scheme involving U.S. Treasury checks and other checks belonging to individuals and businesses.
Ada William Obayuwana, 31, also known as “ColdheartedAC” and “AC,” of Quartz Hill, was arrested alongside Albert Tai Vu, 28, of Westminster and Cassandra Marie Murrillo, 31, of San Diego, according to the Justice Department.
A federal grand jury indictment charges the three defendants with a combined 25 counts. Obayuwana, Vu and Murrillo each face bank fraud charges.
Obayuwana, the aspiring LA rapper, is also charged with three counts of delivering stolen Treasury checks and one count of aggravated identity theft. Meanwhile, Vu is charged with five counts of delivering stolen Treasury checks, four counts of money laundering, and two counts of aggravated identity theft, and Murillo is charged with an additional count of delivering stolen Treasury checks.
According to the indictment, the alleged scheme operated from at least April 2022 through December 2023. During that period, the defendants allegedly obtained and possessed more than 50 stolen US Treasury checks along with hundreds of other checks totaling more than $8.1 million.
The Treasury checks allegedly included tax refunds, veterans’ benefits and Social Security payments. Prosecutors say the defendants altered names and addresses or forged endorsements on the checks so they could cash them.
The defendants allegedly established bank accounts to receive the stolen funds and deposited checks at banks and credit unions across Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties.
In some instances, they allegedly created business documents designed to resemble those belonging to the actual victims in an effort to cash the stolen checks.
Obayuwana and Vu are also accused of using stolen identities as part of the alleged bank fraud scheme.
If convicted, the defendants could face up to 30 years in federal prison for each bank fraud count. The charges involving counterfeit Treasury checks and money laundering carry potential sentences of up to 10 years, while aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory consecutive two-year prison term for each count.
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