Virginia woman admits $7.2 million child-credit tax scam
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More than a year after Watchdog reported the IRS sent thousands refunds to the tiny town of Parksley, Va., a woman has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and mail fraud.
Linda Avila admitted to obtaining more than $7.2 million in refunds by exploiting the federal government’s child tax credit program.
Avila filed more than 1,700 tax returns with stolen identifications used by illegal immigrants, mainly from Mexico.
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The Virginian-Pilot reported that Avila, 50, operated a landscaping and cleaning business in Parksley.
Investigators found copies of refund checks in amounts from $4,000 to more than $7,000. The tax returns frequently cited foreign dependents, which increased the refund amounts.