Tribal Member Stole Funds from Daughter’s Account

OIG investigated allegations that a member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate tribe called the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) Trust Beneficiary Call Center, fraudulently accessed her daughter’s Individual Indian Money account, and withdrew $1,500 without her daughter’s knowledge or permission.

Our investigation substantiated the allegation. We found that the tribal member contacted the call center and falsely represented herself as her daughter in order to fraudulently withdraw $1,500. We found that the tribal member received a U.S. Treasury check for the funds, forged her daughter’s signature, and cashed the check.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota declined prosecution.