A New Mexico woman impersonated an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agent and convinced a victim that he would receive a large sum of money from the US tax agency if he first paid various fees and deposits. The victim handed over at least $150,000, believing the money would be transferred to the IRS, but the woman allegedly spent it on personal expenses. According to a November 9 announcement by the US Department of Justice (DOJ), Sandra Vega, 48, of Pecos, has now pleaded guilty to five federal charges in connection with the fraud scheme, which operated for nearly eight years.In her plea agreement, Vega admitted that she posed as an Internal Revenue agent between 2018 and March 2026 to defraud a man identified in court documents as John Doe. She persuaded him that he was entitled to receive a substantial payout from the IRS but needed to pay several fees and deposits before the money could be released.The victim made payments totalling at least $150,000, expecting that Vega would forward the amount to the federal tax agency. However, prosecutors said none of the money was ever sent to the IRS. Instead, Vega used the funds for her personal expenses.
Five federal charges, faces up to 20 years in prison
Vega pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud and one count of falsely impersonating a federal employee. The charges stem from her use of a fabricated government identity to persuade the victim to transfer money under false pretences. The case was announced by the US Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico, along with officials from the IRS Criminal Investigation division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).At sentencing, Vega faces a maximum prison term of 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and an order to pay restitution to the victim. The amount of restitution will be determined by the court. However, Vega has not yet been sentenced, and the final punishment will be decided by the court.The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office and IRS Criminal Investigation’s Phoenix Field Office, with assistance from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. The US Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case.
IRS warns against impersonation and fake refund schemes
The IRS has repeatedly warned taxpayers about scammers who impersonate its employees through phone calls, emails, text messages and social media. Such fraudsters may claim that a person is entitled to a refund, tax credit or government payment, or threaten legal consequences unless money is transferred immediately.According to the IRS, unexpected communications promising unusually large refunds or demanding immediate payments should be treated with caution. The agency advises taxpayers to independently verify suspicious communications rather than relying on phone numbers, links or contact details provided by the person approaching them. The IRS also says it generally initiates contact with taxpayers through letters or notices delivered by the US Postal Service. It does not send unsolicited social media direct messages or demand immediate payment through gift cards.In a separate warning about tax-related scams, the agency has highlighted how fraudsters exploit the possibility of receiving large refunds or credits to convince people to share personal and financial information or pay upfront fees. The US government’s consumer protection guidance similarly warns that impersonation scams often involve individuals claiming to represent official agencies, businesses or other trusted organisations. Their objective is to gain a victim’s confidence before requesting money or sensitive information.
How taxpayers can identify suspicious IRS communications
The IRS recommends checking whether a communication is genuine before responding to requests for money or personal information. Taxpayers who receive suspicious calls can hang up and contact the agency through its official website or verified telephone numbers. The agency also advises people not to click on suspicious links or share sensitive financial information in response to unexpected messages claiming to offer refunds or tax benefits.Vega’s case involved a victim who continued making payments over several years in the expectation of receiving a large government payout. With her guilty plea, the case now moves towards sentencing, where the court will determine the prison term, financial penalty and restitution owed to the victim.