Daniel Miller, a 32-year-old Miami social media influencer, pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud and two counts of identity theft in a $1.5 million COVID relief fraud scheme, according to the Justice Department.
Miller, who was born in New York, used the stolen identities of more than 10 people and fake business names to claim pandemic-related financial assistance, which he then used to pay for personal expenses such as rent on a luxury apartment and chartering a private jet.
He collected money from disaster funds from the US Small Business Administration, pandemic unemployment assistance and other unemployment benefits, according to a press release from the Massachusetts US Attorney’s Office. He relied on fake driving licenses and conveniently adopted aliases.
Miller maintains an active social media presence, with over 30,000 followers on Instagram. One of her pinned posts promoted an appearance on actress Julia Fox’s podcast with the caption “My Story,” where she described her arrest. His Instagram still has a link to his Cash app in his profile bio, presumably to allow followers to continue sending him money.
But Miller hasn’t posted on the platform since October 2022, where she promoted a new line of clothing and accessories with text reading “I’m not an influencer,” among other slogans. The store appears to still be active.
He was arrested in May 2021 and indicted by a federal grand jury in July of the same year.
Miller’s wire fraud charge carries a mandatory sentence of 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000, while the aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 27.
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