Tax preparers are guilty of more than 500 fraudulent filing applications worth $25 million
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A California tax preparer pleaded guilty Monday to demand a fraudulent federal income tax return for illegal immigration, demanding a $25 million refund, the Justice Department said.
Prosecutors said Victor Cruz of Bakersfield, 40, helped Mexican national Miguel Martinez implement the program from November 2019 to June 2023.
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A 1040 income tax form and a W-2 wage statement and a federal fiscal refund check. (iStock)
Martinez allegedly used his stolen identity to create a fake business and reported forged wages and withholding information to the IRS. He allegedly filed hundreds of income tax returns using his stolen identity while claiming they worked for fake business and were refunded for the owed payment based on false information.
Authorities said Cruz prepared and filed more than 500 fraudulent tax returns.
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A California man has admitted to helping illegal immigrants from Mexico wrongly demand $25 million in income tax returns. (Gate image; isock)
In exchange, Cruz received thousands of dollars in fees from Martinez in exchange for his service. The IRS actually paid $2.3 million of the $25 million refund.
Martinez pleaded guilty for his role in the program and was sentenced to six years in prison. Cruz is scheduled to be sentenced on November 17, 2025.
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He will face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
