HOUSTON --
Federal prosecutors say two people are accused of receiving about $1.8
million in fraudulent tax returns by stealing the personal information
of more than 600 people.
Prosecutors say 40-year-old Dion Hatch of Houston was taken into
custody Tuesday. She's charged with aggravated identity theft, wire
fraud and other offenses. Thirty-eight-year-old Amon Rweyemamu Mtaza, a native of the east African country of Tanzania, was arrested earlier and faces the same charges.
The pair allegedly used names, Social Security numbers and other information to electronically file income tax returns. Authorities say they then had refunds deposited onto debit cards or disbursed as U.S. Treasury checks.
Hatch and Mtaza allegedly obtained cash or purchased various items for their benefit.
