Inmates - the latest type of identity theft VICTIM?!

This is a new one on me.  Just read an article about a new identity theft ring in Arizona that targeted some of their own kind - i.e. convicted criminals.  Four female prisoners became victim to identity theft when the criminals outside the prison used their identity to apply for federal student loans.  The scheme worked for a while, allowing the identity thieves to receive over $150,000 in student loans as well as grants.  They attended classes but reaped the benefits by pocketing the amount exceeding the cost of tuition and books, etc.

Wild.  Wonder if the credit bureaus will believe the victims were actually not at those classes if the warden provides documentation that they were incarcerated at the time?!