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KC Reporter

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Kansas City woman pleads guilty to COVID-19 fraud and check theft

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U.S. Attorney Teresa A. Moore | US Attorney - Western District of Missouri

U.S. Attorney Teresa A. Moore | US Attorney - Western District of Missouri

A Kansas City woman has admitted to several charges involving wire fraud, money laundering, and theft of government funds. Briauna Adams, aged 28, pleaded guilty to a scheme involving counterfeit checks and stolen U.S. Treasury checks. She also confessed to conspiracy charges related to fraudulent Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loans under the CARES Act.

Court documents reveal that Adams used another person's identity to rent a townhome in Raymore, Missouri. From this residence, she opened an investment account on July 27, 2024. Subsequently, on August 15, 2024, Adams deposited a $1,445,443.69 Treasury check into the account. However, fraud investigators identified the check as fraudulent and reversed the deposit before any financial loss occurred.

During a search of her rental home on November 14, 2024, authorities discovered approximately 253 stolen Treasury checks valued at around $700,000.

Adams was also involved in filing false PPP loan applications for multiple individuals. This resulted in losses amounting to approximately $540,302.

Adams could face up to 92 years in federal prison without parole. The sentence will be determined by the court based on advisory guidelines and other factors after a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office is completed.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker and investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation along with the Kansas City Police Department.