Multi-Million Dollar Check Fraud
California Rapper Among Three Charged in Massive $8.1M Federal Fraud Scheme
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Key Points
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Charge details differ by defendant: Ada William Obayuwana faces nine bank fraud counts plus three counts of delivering stolen Treasury checks and one count of aggravated identity theft; Albert Tai Vu faces five counts of delivering stolen Treasury checks, four counts of money laundering, and two counts of aggravated identity theft; Cassandra Marie Murrillo is charged with an additional count of delivering stolen Treasury checks.
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The indictment covers conduct from April 2022 through December 2023, outlining a multi-year scheme across Southern California.
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In December 2023, authorities found more than 100 stolen or fraudulent checks in Obayuwana’s Oceanside car, totaling over $6.1 million; among these were 48 Treasury checks worth about $2.55 million, with eight already cashed for roughly $1.70 million.
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The defendants’ ages and hometowns are listed as Ada William Obayuwana, 31, Quartz Hill; Albert Tai Vu, 28, Westminster; Cassandra Marie Murrillo, 31, San Diego.
A California rapper known as ColdheartedAC and two co-defendants face federal charges for stealing more than $8.1 million through an elaborate check fraud scheme. Hoodline reports that Ada William Obayuwana, 31, Albert Tai Vu, 28, and Cassandra Marie Murrillo, 31, allegedly forged endorsements, altered names and addresses, and cashed stolen government checks across Southern California between April 2022 and December 2023.
Authorities discovered over 100 stolen checks in Obayuwana's Oceanside vehicle during a December 2023 search, totaling more than $6.1 million. KESQ notes that 48 of those Treasury checks were worth about $2.55 million, with eight already cashed for roughly $1.7 million. Each defendant now faces decades in federal prison if convicted.
How the Scheme Worked Across Three Counties
The trio targeted government benefit checks, including tax refunds, veterans' benefits, and Social Security payments. Patch reports they opened fraudulent bank accounts to receive the stolen funds and systematically cashed checks through a coordinated operation spanning Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties. The scheme ran for over a year and a half before authorities caught on.
The $6.1 Million Discovery in Oceanside
When police searched Obayuwana's vehicle in Oceanside in December 2023, they uncovered a stash worth $6.1 million in stolen or fraudulent checks. Among these were 48 U.S. Treasury checks valued at about $2.55 million. Eight of those Treasury checks had already been successfully cashed, netting the criminals roughly $1.7 million before their arrest.
Different Charges for Each Defendant
Obayuwana faces nine counts of bank fraud plus three counts of delivering stolen Treasury checks and one count of aggravated identity theft. Patch reports that Vu faces five counts of delivering stolen Treasury checks, four counts of money laundering, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. Murrillo is charged with delivering stolen Treasury checks and other offenses. Obayuwana remains in federal custody while the other two await initial appearances.
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