Philadelphia man charged in $1 million income tax refund scheme

On By Rgal Nv

A Philadelphia man has been charged with trying to defraud the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue of more than $1 million through a scheme involving the theft of bank account information, Attorney General Michelle Henry announced Tuesday .

Kaahir Teagle, 22, faces several criminal charges, including theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, identity theft and access device fraud. Investigators say Teagle used stolen banking information to make electronic deposits to his tax account, leading to the issuance of six fraudulent tax refund checks. Four of those checks, totaling $13,030.65, were successfully cashed before the scheme was discovered.

“This defendant is not only accused of stealing banking information from unsuspecting individuals, but also of attempting to defraud the state tax system, putting all Pennsylvania taxpayers at risk,” said Attorney General Henry in a statement.

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue flagged Teagle’s 2021 tax return as fraudulent, prompting an investigation by the Attorney General’s Financial Crimes Section. Authorities discovered that Teagle submitted 33 fake electronic funds transfers as credits to his tax account between May and July 2022.

Teagle was arraigned and his bond was set at $100,000. Other legal proceedings are underway.

  • Man found shot multiple times in Clairton
    Man found shot multiple times in Clairton

    Clairton, Pa. – Clairton Police responded to a call Monday morning regarding an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds at 415 Miller Avenue. Upon arrival around 7:24 a.m., officers found Reuben Kelley, 30, deceased inside his home after being shot multiple times.

    The Allegheny County Police Department’s Homicide Unit was assigned to lead the investigation into the incident. Detectives believe the shooting happened Sunday evening while Kelley was home with several children.

    Authorities continue to ask for the public’s help in solving this case. People with information regarding Kelley’s death are asked to contact the Allegheny County Police Tip Line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Any detail, regardless of its perceived importance, can be crucial, and callers have the option of remaining anonymous.

    The Allegheny County Police Department also shared photos related to the ongoing investigation.

  • Kensington shooting leaves two men in critical condition
    Kensington shooting leaves two men in critical condition

    PHILADELPHIA — A shooting in the 24th Precinct on Kensington Avenue Monday afternoon left two men seriously injured, according to police.

    The incident happened around 3:12 p.m. in the 2700 block of Kensington Avenue. A 34-year-old man was shot in the right leg and transported to Temple University Hospital by Medic 45. He is listed in critical condition.

    A second victim, a 30-year-old man, was shot in the lower right side of his back. He was also transported to Temple University Hospital by Medic AR2A and is in critical condition.

    Authorities have not yet identified a motive and no arrests have been made. No weapons have been recovered and the investigation is being conducted by the Shooting Investigation Group.

    The Philadelphia Police Department is asking anyone with information to contact its shooting investigation unit at 215-686-8270 or the tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous.

  • Investigation into armed robbery and vehicle theft in Millsboro
    Investigation into armed robbery and vehicle theft in Millsboro

    Millsboro, DE – Delaware State Police are investigating an armed robbery and vehicle theft that occurred early Sunday morning in Millsboro.

    On Sunday, around 5:15 a.m., officers responded to the area of ​​Hollyville Road and Mount Joy Road for a reported theft. The investigation revealed that two victims had gone there to meet an acquaintance.

    When the female victim got out of her vehicle to get into another car with the suspect, she was robbed at gunpoint and the suspect obtained an undisclosed amount of money. Another unidentified suspect forced the male victim out of his vehicle and fled in the stolen car. Detectives then recovered the vehicle.

    The incident involved three suspects: two black men and a black woman. Through investigative leads, detectives identified Javontai Ricketts, 27, of Seaford, Delaware, as one of the suspects and obtained a warrant for his arrest. Ricketts is wanted for several offenses, including first-degree robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and theft of a motor vehicle.