Philadelphia Man Charged With Conspiracy To Defraud The United States

Peterly Netus, 25, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged today by Indictment with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States through claims, three counts of false claims against the United States, and with aiding and abetting, announced Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. According to the Indictment, Netus conspired with others to use stolen or improperly-obtained personal identifying information of others for the purpose of obtaining payment of false, fictitious, and fraudulent tax refunds.

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment, three years’ supervised release, a $1,000,000 fine, and a $400 special assessment.

The case was investigated jointly by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Terri A. Marinari and David J. Ignall.

An Indictment, Information or Criminal Complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.