The investigation began three months ago after a man from Texas was audited by the IRS for under-reporting his income from Colorado.
But the man said he's never worked in Colorado.
The Texas man's accountant has spent four years dealing with an audit by the IRS, trying to get the problems dismissed.
It turns out his Social Security number was stolen and used to file for tax refunds.
The income from the theft of his Social Security number was added to the Social Security fund that was legitimately his, therefore he was accused of under-reporting his income because he didn't know about it.
Rebecca Jaramillo is worried the same thing could happen to her.
"I honestly don't know what to do," she said.
Her Social Security number was also stolen and used by an illegal immigrant.
The investigation from the Texas tip continued after Weld County Sheriff's investigators focused on Amalia's Translation and Tax Preparer business in Greeley.
Investigators examined 5,000 of Amalia Cerillo's clients and 1,369 of them were found to have stolen or phony Social Security numbers.
Illegal immigrants usually steal Hispanic American citizens' Social Security numbers so they can work. By federal law, you can't work in the U.S. without a Social Security number.
When it was time to file taxes, most of the 1,369 people got refunds by using the earned income tax credit and child care deductions.
"Because of those tax returns, these illegal aliens are getting money back that should not be given to them," said Cooke.
According to Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck, a re-examination of 25 percent of the suspects' returns showed withholdings of $1 million. The IRS paid $2.6 million back in deductions, giving the suspects $1.6 million in extra, unearned money.
"They actually got $2.6 million of U.S. taxpayers' money they aren't entitled to," said Buck. "They're here illegally. They're working illegally and they're using stolen or phony Social Security numbers to file taxes [and get refunds] they aren't owed."
Cerillo told 9Wants to Know she obtained tax identification numbers for her clients when they had a "fake Social" because no one would hire them without a Social Security number.
"What if they're here illegally?" 9Wants to Know asked Cerillo. "That's not my duty," Cerillo replied, "My duty is to help them file their taxes regardless of whether they're here illegally or not or if they are using a fake Social."
Immigration attorney Christine Mastin says she tells her clients it's very important to follow all the laws of the U.S., including being here legally, getting a driver's license and paying taxes.
The IRS says it will investigate but wouldn't talk publicly. The agency did refer 9Wants to Know to policy statements which say its job is to collect money from people who work in the U.S., whether they're here legally or illegally.
The Weld County Sheriff and District Attorney offices have arrested the suspects in the following photos for their suspected involvement in the identity theft investigation. - VIEW PHOTOS
The American Friends Service Committee, Latinos Unidos and Fuerza Latina are three organizations which help Latino immigrants. On Nov. 18, they issued a news released calling the investigation of Amalia#39;s Tax Service quot;another hurtful, expensive and unnecessary pursuit.quot; The news release went on to say, quot;Last year, Greeley families experienced criminalization for working, and today they experience criminalization for paying taxes.quot; />
