A 32-year-old Ewa Beach man has admitted to using bogus Hawaii driver's licenses and using them to apply for instant credit at local establishments to purchase more than $120,000 worth of merchandise. Man admits using fake IDs
to steal more than
$120,000 in goods
By Debra Barayuga
dbarayuga@starbulletin.comCraig Aoki was indicted in October on 26 federal counts involving identity theft, including access-device fraud, identification-document fraud and criminal misuse of a Social Security number. An access device includes personal ID numbers, credit card or telephone card numbers.
Under a plea agreement, Aoki pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to three counts: using a fake driver's license to obtain a line of credit at a furniture store, making more than five fake driver's licenses with his picture but using other people's personal information, and using someone else's Social Security number to obtain credit at an appliance store.
Aoki admitted to producing more than five bogus driver's licenses on his home computer for the purpose of passing himself off as other people.
Using these fake IDs, he obtained a line of credit at Homeworld where he purchased a recliner and mattress valued at more than $3,399 last Jan. 30, prosecutors said. He also obtained a line of credit at Chock's TV & Appliance and purchased a TV and other electronics in December 2001.
Federal agents who searched Aoki's Ewa Beach home found computers and fake ID cards in various stages of assembly and equipment used to make fake IDs, including a digital camera, scanner and computers, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Tong.
Also found were voluminous bank documents containing confidential information on bank customers that apparently had been taken home by Aoki's wife, who worked at a bank. The information included names, Social Security numbers, credit card numbers and other financial information that banks maintain on all customers, Tong said. Aoki's wife has not been charged with criminal offenses.
Under the plea agreement, Aoki pleaded to only three of 26 counts but must pay more than $120,000 in restitution, including payment to the victims in the remaining counts.
Access-device fraud is punishable by a maximum 10 years' imprisonment and fines of up to $250,000. Identification-documents fraud carries a maximum penalty of three years' imprisonment and fines of up to $250,000. Misuse of a Social Security number is punishable by a maximum five years' imprisonment and fines of up to $250,000.
Aoki will be sentenced April 28.
