Overview
- Federal agents announced a 25‑count indictment after arresting Ada William Obayuwana, known as ColdheartedAC, and charging him and two co‑defendants with multiple bank fraud and related counts for conduct alleged from April 2022 through December 2023.
- Prosecutors say the trio possessed more than 50 stolen U.S. Treasury checks and hundreds of other checks totaling over $8.1 million and attempted to cash or deposit them at bank and credit union branches across Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties.
- Agents searching Obayuwana’s vehicle in Oceanside in December 2023 allegedly recovered more than 100 stolen or altered checks worth over $6.1 million, including 48 Treasury checks worth about $2.55 million of tax refunds and federal benefits.
- The indictment details alleged methods and proceeds: forged endorsements, altered payee information, opened accounts using business documents to impersonate victims, individual cashings totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, and alleged use of funds to buy assets such as a Range Rover.
- Pretrial rulings left Obayuwana detained pending trial, co‑defendant Albert Tai Vu released on a $15,000 bond after an initial appearance, and Cassandra Murrillo expected to surrender to federal authorities; convictions carry potential multi‑decade federal sentences.