American Samoan Woman Charged with $1.3 Million Tax Refund Fraud in Alaska

Arrest of Coriana Ifopo in Honolulu

A 54-year-old woman from American Samoa, Coriana Ifopo, was arrested on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021, in Honolulu on federal charges related to alleged tax refund fraud worth over $1.3 million.

False Claims and Charges Against Ifopo

Ifopo currently faces 28 counts of making false statements to a government agency. According to authorities, she made false claims to the United States government during tax years 2013 through 2015. She is expected to be prosecuted in Alaska, where she allegedly claimed that numerous American Samoan residents resided to be eligible for tax refunds and earned income credits.

The Consequences of Tax Fraud

U.S. Attorney Aunnie Steward stated, “The actions of this defendant not only undermines the integrity of the tax system but also misappropriates valuable resources intended for legitimate taxpayers.”

Legal Representation for Ifopo

Court records indicate that Ifopo’s legal representation is yet to be documented.

False Statements in Tax Returns

An indictment filed against Ifopo accuses her of:

1. Falsifying tax return forms
2. Listing over 200 supposed American Samoan residents as living off-island and entitled to refunds under false pretenses
3. Including false dependents and false withholdings to increase the refund amounts

Submission of Fraudulent Tax Returns

Ifopo is accused of submitting tax returns from Alaska to deceive authorities and make it appear as if the filers were stationed outside of American Samoa. This alleged misrepresentation is thought to have led to the fraudulent refunds.

Efforts to Combat Financial Crimes

This ongoing investigation demonstrates the efforts of law enforcement to remain vigilant against financial crimes, particularly those perpetrated against the federal government. The U.S. Attorney’s office in Alaska will continue to prosecute this case.