Elizabeth Ann Berbel fraudulently applied for a passport in Laredo, Texas on March 22, 2019, using information that belonged to another person. Part of the application required her to include the names of her parents and her place of birth. Which it turns out Berbel didn’t actually know. Even though she had been using the victim’s Social Security number and other personal information for almost twenty years. What an inconsiderate fraudster to not know everything about their victim. To fill in the blanks, Berbel provided false information. Which the Department of State questioned. Finally. Because it turns out that Berbel could have been stopped fifteen years earlier.
A new investigation revealed that in August 2005, law enforcement had stopped Berbel at the Laredo, Texas, Port of Entry. Not in the U.S. at that time, Berbel was carrying multiple forms of identification including a Social Security card with the victim’s number. When questioned Berbel admitted she was not the person on the identification documents and fraudulently identified herself as Ana Elizabeth Gomez Garcia, a citizen and national of Mexico. Berbel also acknowledged having other identification documents hidden in her car. Entry denied. And Berbel was allowed to go back to her car. Berbel left the Port of Entry only to wait two weeks before returning to the United States by using her other stolen documents. The investigation also revealed that Berbel was also known to use up to ten other fraudulent identities.
With the new charges, Elizabeth Ann Berbel pleaded guilty and on May 20, 2024, she was sentenced to 30 months in prison for passport fraud and aggravated identity theft convictions. She was also ordered to pay $3,083.43 in restitution. Nothing for the victim though. Despite the trauma she experienced because of Berbel’s conduct as well as the negative impact the use of her identity has had on her life and career, the victim is going to have to tough it out.
Excellent job by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Today’s Fraud of The Day is based on article “Woman sentenced to prison for stealing another female’s identity” published by the Laredo Morning Times on May 20, 2024.
Elizabeth Ann Berbel, 53, pleaded guilty on Aug. 28, 2023, to passport fraud and aggravated identity theft. On Friday, U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison sentenced Berbel to serve six and 24 months for the passport fraud and aggravated identity theft convictions, respectively.
The sentences were ordered to run concurrently. Berbel was also ordered to pay $3,083.43 in restitution. “During the hearing, the court heard testimony from the victim who described the trauma she has experienced as a result of Berbel’s conduct as well as the negative impact the use of her identity has had on her life and career,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
