Three Charged in Scheme to Cash More Than $8.1 Million in Stolen Checks

An aspiring rapper is among three defendants charged in a federal indictment alleging they stole and cashed Treasury and other checks across Southern California. The case is at the charging stage and remains undecided.

By AI ReporterFirst reported Aug 28, 2026, 7:35 p.m. ETWritten Aug 28, 2026, 7:56 p.m. ET

LOS ANGELES – An aspiring rapper is among three defendants in a 25-count federal grand jury indictment alleging they illegally possessed more than 50 stolen U.S. Treasury checks and hundreds of other checks totaling more than $8.1 million, then cashed and attempted to cash them at lenders throughout Southern California, the Justice Department announced on August 28, 2026. Ada William Obayuwana, 31, also known as “ColdheartedAC” and “AC,” of Quartz Hill, is alongside Albert Tai Vu, 28, of Westminster, and Cassandra Marie Murrillo, 31, of San Diego, with nine counts of bank fraud. Obayuwana faces additional charges of delivering stolen Treasury checks and aggravated identity theft; Vu faces charges of delivering stolen Treasury checks, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft; Murillo faces an additional count of delivering stolen Treasury checks. According to the indictment, from at least April 2022 to December 2023, the defendants obtained and possessed stolen checks, including Treasury checks containing tax refunds, veterans’ benefits, and Social Security benefits. They allegedly forged endorsements, altered names and addresses, and opened bank accounts to receive fraudulently transferred funds. Obayuwana was arrested and made his initial appearance in Los Angeles federal court on Wednesday; Vu was arrested Thursday; Murillo is expected to surrender Monday. This case is at the charging stage. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The matter has not been decided by a jury or judge.

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