The University of Arkansas’s records show that Stephen Craig Campbell and Walter Lee Coffman attended the academic institution in 1975 where both pursued engineering degrees. That is the only record connecting the two of them together until 50 years later, in 2024, when Campbell was arrested for stealing and living under Coffman’s identity.
Coffman had sadly passed away not two weeks after his graduation from university in 1975. Campbell on the other hand went on to live a somewhat questionable life that led to his arrest in 1982, for allegedly planting a bomb at the residence of his estranged wife’s boyfriend. At that point, Campbell was released on bond and not to be found again – because apparently, Campbell assumed the identity of his deceased classmate Coffman.
Campbell’s alleged use of Coffman’s identity started in 1984, when he first applied for passport under Coffman’s name. He renewed multiple times, always providing a photograph of himself and his current address. In 1995, Campbell obtained a replacement Social Security card using an Oklahoma driver’s license, all with Coffman’s name. With this Social Security card it is believed that Campbell received $140,000 in social security funds. In 2003, Campbell moved to New Mexico and bought property, again under Coffman’s identity.
Campbell’s scheme came to an end when, in September 2019, Campbell visited the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department, presenting fraudulent documents to renew his driver’s license with Coffman’s name. But the National Passport Center’s Fraud Prevention Unit had discovered Coffman’s death and the suspected decades-long fraudulent use of his identity by Campbell. On February 27, 2025, Campbell was arrested for allegedly using a stolen identity to evade authorities and claim government benefits.
Shout out to the National Passport Center’s Fraud Prevention Unit in this case.
Today’s Fraud of The Day is based on article “California man on the run since 1982 accused of using dead person’s identity to claim government benefits” published by CBS News on February 27, 2025.
A California man was arrested in New Mexico after using a former classmate’s identity to evade authorities for decades and claim government benefits.
Stephen Craig Campbell, 76, born in Stockton, is accused of taking the identity of Walter Lee Coffman, a University of Arkansas graduate who died in 1975 at 22 years old. Coffman, who was an engineering student, tragically died in a car accident just two months after graduating. U.S. Marshals believe the connection between Campbell and Coffman is that they both attended the university at the same time.
