2 Nigerians In Texas Get Prison For Identity Fraud, Tax Scam

AUSTIN (AP) — Prosecutors say two Nigerians who entered the U.S. by falsely claiming to be asylum seekers from Sudan are going to prison over a nearly $4 million tax refund scam.

Investigators say 36-year-old Ibrahim Alu and 40-year-old George Ismail were sentenced Friday in Austin for their roles in an identity theft ring. Both were arrested last September in the Dallas area, then in January pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud.

Alu was sentenced to eight years in prison, while Ismail received seven years. They must repay more than $1.3 million.

Prosecutors say Alu and Ismail worked for an Austin-area cleaning business that serviced medical offices.

Patient forms and personal documents were stolen. The information was used to file phony tax returns for refunds and to obtain credit cards.