LOS ANGELES — An aspiring rapper and two other Southern California residents have been charged in an alleged scheme to cash more than $8.1 million in stolen checks, including federal tax refunds, veterans benefits and Social Security payments, the Justice Department announced Friday.
A federal grand jury returned a 25-count indictment charging Ada William Obayuwana, 31, also known as “ColdheartedAC” and “AC,” of Quartz Hill; Albert Tai Vu, 28, of Westminster; and Cassandra Marie Murillo, 31, of San Diego.
All three defendants are charged with nine counts of bank fraud. They are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Fact Checklist
- Defendants: Ada William Obayuwana, Albert Tai Vu and Cassandra Marie Murillo
- Total defendants charged: Three
- Indictment: 25 counts
- Alleged value of stolen checks: More than $8.1 million
- Alleged scheme period: April 2022 through December 2023
- Treasury checks involved: More than 50
- Federal payments: Tax refunds, veterans benefits and Social Security payments
- Counties involved: Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego
- Obayuwana’s alleged aliases: “ColdheartedAC” and “AC”
- Principal charge: Bank fraud
- Case status: Charges are allegations; no guilt has been established
Obayuwana also faces three counts of delivering stolen Treasury checks and one count of aggravated identity theft. Vu faces five stolen Treasury check counts, four money laundering counts and two aggravated identity theft counts. Murillo faces one stolen Treasury check count.
Obayuwana and Vu were arrested and ordered to appear in federal court in Los Angeles. Murillo was expected to surrender Monday.
According to the indictment, the defendants possessed more than $8.1 million in stolen checks from April 2022 through December 2023, including more than 50 Treasury checks for tax refunds, veterans benefits and Social Security payments.
Prosecutors allege they forged endorsements, altered names and addresses, opened bank accounts and used fraudulent business records to deposit stolen checks at financial institutions in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties.
Obayuwana allegedly attempted to cash three Treasury checks totaling about $382,000 and obtained approximately $229,000. In December 2023, authorities allegedly found more than 100 stolen or fraudulent checks worth over $6.1 million in his car in Oceanside. The haul included 48 Treasury checks worth about $2.6 million. Eight checks had been cashed for approximately $1.7 million.
Vu allegedly attempted to cash six Treasury checks worth about $2.2 million and cashed two totaling $772,159. Murillo allegedly attempted to cash two checks totaling $60,193 and cashed one for $31,405.
Vu also allegedly used criminal proceeds in April 2023 to obtain two $250,000 cashier’s checks. One helped finance the purchase of a Range Rover, while the other was made payable to Murillo. Prosecutors allege Vu and Obayuwana also used stolen identities in the scheme.
Bank fraud carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison per count. The stolen Treasury check and money laundering charges carry maximum 10-year sentences. Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence.