Manchester Man Arrested for Defrauding State and Federal Taxpayers

CONCORD – A Manchester man was arrested for his involvement in a scheme to fraudulently obtain CARES Act funds from the United States government and the State of New York, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. 

Kyereem Sackey, 23, was indicted on October 25, 2023, on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of bank fraud. Sackey was arrested this morning and released on conditions.

According to the charging documents, Sackey used social media to conspire with others to file false and fraudulent unemployment insurance claims.  Sackey filed unemployment insurance claims in the State of New York on behalf of a co-defendant, of which he was not entitled.  When the money was deposited into the co-defendant’s bank account, a portion of the money was sent to Sackey and another co-defendant.  The indictment alleges that Sackey and his co-defendants filed approximately $50,000 in fraudulent unemployment insurance claims.

Sackey also used a co-defendant’s information to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan using a false and fraudulent business that did not exist.  Sackey provided the bank with false documents, including fabricated tax documents.  The indictment alleges that Sackey fraudulently applied for approximately $13,000 in PPP loans.

The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.  The charge of bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.   

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General led the investigation.  Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Kennedy is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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