Three charged in $8.1 million stolen check scheme

Three individuals, including an aspiring Los Angeles County rapper known as ‘ColdheartedAC’, have been charged in a federal scheme involving more than $8.1 million in stolen checks.

Ada William Obayuwana, 31, faces charges of bank fraud, delivering stolen Treasury checks, and aggravated identity theft. He is charged alongside Albert Tai Vu, 28, and Cassandra Marie Murrillo, 31. The group allegedly targeted U.S. Treasury checks containing tax refunds, veterans’ benefits, and Social Security Administration benefits.

Authorities state the defendants used forged endorsements, altered names and addresses, and fraudulent business documents to cash the checks. The stolen funds were reportedly deposited into various bank and credit union accounts across Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties. In December 2023, prosecutors allege Obayuwana was found with over 100 fraudulent checks worth more than $6.1 million in his vehicle.