KC Reporter

A Kansas City woman has pleaded guilty in federal court to involvement in two separate fraudulent schemes, including making false statements to a financial institution and preparing fraudulent tax returns.

Bianca Cobbins, 42, admitted to seven counts: two counts of making a false statement to a financial institution and five counts of aiding in the preparation of a false tax return.

According to court documents, Cobbins obtained personal information from a victim in December 2019. She used this information to create a fraudulent driver’s license that featured the victim’s details and the photograph of another individual, Quanisha Capelton. Using the fake license, Cobbins and Capelton opened a checking account at a local bank.

Cobbins then created two fake paystubs showing that the victim worked for a healthcare company in Kansas City and that their paychecks were directly deposited into the new account. The pair used these paystubs to apply for a consumer loan at the same financial institution. Cobbins acknowledged as part of her plea agreement that her actions led to an intended loss of at least $36,128.32.

Quanisha Capelton had previously been charged, convicted, and sentenced for her role in using the victim’s personal information.

In addition to bank fraud, Cobbins admitted that she prepared false federal tax returns over six years—from 2018 through 2023—while working as a professional tax preparer. She often included fraudulent Schedule C forms on clients’ returns, falsely reporting business profits or losses so clients could claim higher Earned Income Credit refunds. In total, Cobbins admitted responsibility for at least 55 false tax returns resulting in an actual loss of at least $312,656.

Federal law allows for sentences up to 30 years without parole for each count related to false statements made to financial institutions and up to three years without parole for each count involving preparation of false tax returns. However, sentencing will be determined by the court after consideration of advisory guidelines and other factors following completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas P. Heberle is prosecuting the case. The investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service, IRS Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI), and Lee’s Summit Police Department.