BOSTON — Two males have pleaded responsible to their roles in what federal prosecutors say was a nationwide scheme that used stolen identities to idiot ride-hailing and supply service firms into hiring unqualified drivers.
Edvaldo Rocha Cabral, 42, of Lowell, Massachusetts, and Julio Vieira Braga, 25, of Daly Metropolis, California, pleaded responsible on Wednesday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identification theft, in keeping with the U.S. lawyer’s workplace in Boston.
They have been amongst 19 Brazilian nationals charged final Might.
The scheme concerned using stolen identities to arrange fraudulent driver accounts with a number of ride-hailing and supply firms, prosecutors stated. These accounts have been then offered or rented to drivers who may not in any other case qualify for jobs with these providers, together with those that couldn't cross background checks or have been ineligible to work within the U.S.
In some situations, driver’s license particulars have been stolen from unsuspecting victims throughout the trade of knowledge following deliberately induced automotive accidents, in keeping with court docket paperwork.
The scheme additionally employed using automated bots and GPS spoofing expertise to extend the revenue earned from the fraudulent accounts, prosecutors stated.
Cabral used driver’s licenses and Social Safety numbers obtained from the darkish internet and different sources to create fraudulent accounts with the ride-hailing and supply firms, then marketed them on the market or hire by way of social media to Brazilian nationals residing within the U.S., prosecutors stated. In whole, he made greater than $430,000 by way of the scheme.
Braga obtained images from driver’s licenses whereas making alcohol deliveries for one of many firms, prosecutors stated. His involvement netted him about $220,000.
Sixteen of these charged within the case have been arrested and three stay at massive. 4 have now pleaded responsible. Sentencing for Cabral and Braga is scheduled for June 15, after they face greater than 20 years behind bars.