Houston woman pleads guilty to using bank job to steal millions in unemployment benefits

Houston woman admitted to stealing millions in fake unemployment benefits by loading bank funds onto prepaid debit cards, prosecutors say.

Jaysha Victorian, 23 has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Victorian worked as a contractor from late 2020 to early 2021 and used her access to a national bank’s system to credit at least 187 prepaid cards with nearly $8.6 million in fraudulent funds.

Some cards were used for unemployment benefits, including those for California. Victorian has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

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The cards were then distributed to others who withdrew the funds at ATMs and other locations. By the time the bank froze the accounts, more than $7.6 million had been spent. Victorian also personally withdrew funds, including $1,000 from a Houston ATM, and received about $300,000 in cash proceeds.

She is set for sentencing on July 7 and faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. She remains free on bond until then.

The FBI, Houston Police Department, Department of Homeland Security’s COVID Fraud Unit, and Department of Labor investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brad Gray and Karen Lansden are prosecuting.

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