BOSTON, Mass. — Federal prosecutors have charged four Massachusetts residents in what authorities describe as a large, multi-state fraud operation that used stolen identities to illegally obtain more than $1 million in food assistance and pandemic-era unemployment benefits.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Massachusetts, the defendants allegedly used more than 100 stolen identities from several states and U.S. territories to fraudulently collect Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance funds.
Stolen identities used across multiple states
U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said the stolen identities originated from Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Puerto Rico. Using those identities, prosecutors say the group obtained approximately $440,000 in SNAP benefits from Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
In addition, investigators allege the defendants submitted falsified documents to collect more than $700,000 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits from Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Washington, and Nevada.
Speaking at a news conference in Boston, Foley said the case highlights a broader nationwide problem.
“It is no secret there is rampant fraud across this nation,” Foley said. “The charges announced today are just a snapshot of the bigger picture, not just in Massachusetts but across the country.”
Defendants named in the case
Federal prosecutors identified the four people charged in connection with the scheme:
- Joel Vicioso Fernandez, 42, of Fitchburg
- Roman Yequiz Fernandez, 32, a Venezuelan national living in Leominster
- Coralba Albarracin Siniva, 24, also a Venezuelan national living in Leominster
Those three defendants are charged with conspiracy to use, transfer, acquire, and possess SNAP benefits.
A fourth defendant, Raul Fernandez Vicioso, 37, of Fitchburg, faces additional charges, including conspiracy to commit SNAP fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, SNAP benefit fraud, aiding and abetting, and money laundering.
Restaurant allegedly central to the scheme
Investigators say the fraud centered on El Primo Restaurant in Leominster, which is owned by Raul Fernandez Vicioso. According to court documents, the defendants allegedly used fraudulently obtained SNAP benefit cards to purchase large quantities of expensive food items for the restaurant.
Prosecutors allege the meals were then prepared and sold at full profit, with portions of the proceeds later wired to individuals in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.
During searches, authorities reported finding counterfeit passports, EBT cards, handwritten lists of stolen identities, and SNAP-related mail inside the restaurant and Fernandez Vicioso’s home.
Pandemic benefits applications flagged
Federal officials said the restaurant’s address was also used as a residential address in multiple pandemic unemployment assistance applications. Prosecutors allege the stolen identities of at least 29 victims were used in those filings.
The investigation expanded after Rhode Island officials flagged suspicious SNAP activity in June 2024. Foley said Rhode Island detected that applications for 117 people were linked to just two apartments, prompting coordination with Massachusetts authorities.
Massachusetts officials later identified more than $115,000 in SNAP benefits tied to stolen identities.
Ongoing concerns about benefits fraud
Foley announced her office is adding a fraud coordinator due to what she described as widespread benefit fraud in Massachusetts. She said additional cases are expected.
“You should anticipate seeing more and more of these cases coming here in Massachusetts,” Foley said.
The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance said it cooperated fully with federal investigators and moved quickly to close affected benefit cases once the fraud was identified.
The case remains under federal investigation, and prosecutors have indicated more details may emerge as court proceedings continue.
