"According to a statement from Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Leah Foley's office, the group fraudulently obtained about $440,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from Massachusetts and Rhode Island, along with more than $700,000 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits from six states: Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Washington, and Nevada. Those charged include 42-year-old Joel Vicioso Fernandez of Fitchburg; 32-year-old Roman Vequiz Fernandez, a Venezuelan national living in Leominster;"
"and 24-year-old Coralba Albarracin Siniva, also a Venezuelan national living in Leominster, according to the criminal complaint. The three face charges of conspiracy to use, transfer, acquire, and possess SNAP benefits and were scheduled to appear in federal court Wednesday, according to Foley's statement. A fourth defendant, 37-year-old Raul Fernandez Vicioso of Fitchburg, is charged with conspiracy to commit SNAP fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, SNAP benefit fraud, aiding and abetting, and money laundering, authorities said."
Stolen identities of more than 100 people were used to obtain over $1 million in government benefits, including about $440,000 in SNAP benefits and more than $700,000 in PUA benefits across multiple states. The scheme created 24 fraudulent households listed at two single-family apartments in Providence. Three people were arrested and a fourth was charged; named defendants include Joel Vicioso Fernandez, Roman Vequiz Fernandez, Coralba Albarracin Siniva, and Raul Fernandez Vicioso. Charges include conspiracy to use, transfer, acquire, and possess SNAP benefits, SNAP fraud, wire fraud-related conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and money laundering. At least one victim lost access to legitimate SNAP benefits.
Read at Boston.com
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