Federal prosecutors say four defendants used 115 stolen identities to fraudulently obtain about $1 million in SNAP and pandemic unemployment benefits. Authorities allege identities from across the U.S., including six children, were used to file claims in multiple states and that SNAP funds were diverted to stock El Primo Restaurant in Leominster, Massachusetts. Searches recovered counterfeit documents, EBT cards and ledgers listing more than 100 identities. All four face conspiracy charges; one defendant faces additional wire-fraud and money-laundering counts.
Four Accused In $1M SNAP And PUA Scam Used 115 Stolen Identities, Prosecutors Say
Four defendants, including 2 Venezuelans, allegedly used 115 stolen identities in massive food stamp fraud
Federal prosecutors say four people, including two Venezuelan nationals, used 115 stolen identities in a scheme that diverted roughly $1 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), the U.S. Department of Justice announced.
Raul Fernandez Vicioso is seen shopping for food with fraudulently obtained EBT benefits, authorities said. Fernandez and three other defendants are charged with using more than 100 stolen identities to obtain food stamps and pandemic unemployment benefits.(Fox News)
What Prosecutors Allege
The defendants are identified as Joel Vicioso Fernandez, 42, and Raul Fernandez Vicioso, 37, both of Fitchburg, Massachusetts; and Venezuelan nationals Roman Vequiz Fernandez, 32, and Coralba Albarracin Siniva, 24, both residing in Leominster, Massachusetts. Investigators say the suspects obtained identities from people across the country — including six children — to file fraudulent SNAP and PUA claims in multiple states.
Four people, including two Venezuelan citizens, used 115 stolen identities in a $1 million food stamps and pandemic unemployment fraud scheme, the Justice Department said Tuesday.
How the Scheme Worked
Prosecutors allege the four purchased stolen identities covering 24 households and submitted SNAP applications in the names of more than 100 people, listing two single-family apartments in Providence, Rhode Island, as the residential addresses. Raul and Joel are accused of using their own personal information to create fraudulent SNAP accounts that were commingled with victim identities.
All four defendants are charged with conspiracy to use, transfer, acquire and possess SNAP benefits.
Investigators say the defendants provided images of counterfeit passports and passport cards; metadata on those files reportedly showed the photos were taken inside or very near El Primo Restaurant, a Leominster establishment operated by Raul Fernandez Vicioso. SNAP benefits allegedly were used to buy bulk food—large packages of chicken, beef and pork—at wholesalers and local markets to stock the restaurant.
PUA Fraud And Financial Flows
Between April 2020 and December 2021, prosecutors say the group collected about $700,000 by filing fraudulent PUA claims across several states. At least 29 different identities were used for PUA applications, and those claims listed El Primo Restaurant's address as the applicants' residence. Approximately $276,021 in PUA funds were deposited into bank accounts in the names of El Primo Restaurant, Raul Fernandez Vicioso, Joel Vicioso Fernandez and other co-conspirators. Authorities further allege some proceeds were wired to individuals in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.
Evidence Recovered
Searches of Raul Fernandez Vicioso’s home and the restaurant reportedly produced fraudulently obtained Massachusetts and Rhode Island EBT cards, counterfeit documents bearing a Providence address, printed ledgers, handwritten lists of more than 100 identities and SNAP-related mailings tied to the scheme.
Charges
All four defendants are charged with conspiracy to use, transfer, acquire and possess SNAP benefits. In addition, prosecutors say Raul Fernandez Vicioso faces extra counts, including conspiracy to commit SNAP fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, SNAP benefit fraud, aiding and abetting, and money laundering. The other three defendants are charged with the SNAP conspiracy counts described above.
These are allegations in an ongoing federal case; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
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