3 Sentenced in Large Scale ID Theft Ring

A simple credit card transaction at Southdale Center in Edina led authorities to a huge identity theft ring. 

There are least 137 victims in Minnesota and more than 10,000 across the country and globe. 

Authorities sentenced three people in Federal Court in Minneapolis. Julian Okeayainneh is the mastermind.  He and Olugbenga Adeniran formed a network with other Nigerian Nationals and recruited bankers in Minnesota like Jonathon Earley to take part. 

The bankers would get paid to turn over clients private information, and then new loans and accounts would be opened in unsuspecting victims names. 

The ID theft ring targeted both individuals and major banks.  Authorities call the investigation Operation Starburst. So far, it's netted 27 convictions. 

If you or someone you know believes your identity has been stolen, contact your bank, local police department and Identity Theft Resource Center.  

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