Olathe woman and three others are accused in government fraud schemes

A federal grand jury indictment announced Tuesday accuses four Kansas City area residents of using multiple schemes to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax refunds and other government funds.

Raquel Odegbaro, 39, of Olathe; Abdirizak Aden, 32, of Kansas City; and Alexander Limihagati, 33, and Zia Mkubi Kajanja, 40, both of Overland Park, are charged in the 27-count indictment with crimes including conspiracy to defraud the United States, theft of public money, identity theft and conspiracy to commit tax, mail and wire fraud.

The indictment filed in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., alleges that Odegbaro created fictitious companies and filed tax returns in the names of phony employees using false information about wages earned, amounts withheld and refunds due.

In addition, she allegedly made fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits, student loans and food stamps.

Aden and Limihagati are charged with receiving fraudulently obtained tax refunds.

Kajanja allegedly supplied Odegbaro with Social Security numbers and personal information on individuals needed to file tax returns.

The most serious crimes carry a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $1 million.

This story was originally published January 26, 2016 at 11:38 AM with the headline "Olathe woman and three others are accused in government fraud schemes."