Three people have been arrested and a fourth charged in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) programs across several states. According to federal prosecutors, the group used stolen identities of more than 100 individuals to obtain $440,000 in SNAP benefits from Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as over $700,000 in PUA benefits from multiple states including Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Washington, and Nevada.
The defendants charged with conspiracy to use, transfer, acquire and possess SNAP benefits are Joel Vicioso Fernandez of Fitchburg, Massachusetts; Roman Vequiz Fernandez and Coralba Albarracin Siniva, both Venezuelan nationals living in Leominster, Massachusetts. Raul Fernandez Vicioso of Fitchburg faces additional charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
Prosecutors allege that the defendants purchased stolen personal information from individuals across various states to create fraudulent SNAP applications. These applications were submitted under 24 “households,” all listing two single-family apartments in Providence, Rhode Island as their address. The investigation found that some of the stolen identities came from Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico.
Authorities say Raul Fernandez Vicioso and Joel Vicioso Fernandez also used their own information to set up fraudulent SNAP accounts mixed among those created with stolen identities. To support these applications, counterfeit passports were allegedly produced at El Primo Restaurant in Leominster—a business operated by Raul Fernandez Vicioso.
Investigators claim that fraudulent SNAP benefit cards were used to buy large quantities of bulk food items such as chicken, beef and pork at local wholesalers. These supplies were then used at El Primo Restaurant for menu items sold at full profit. Proceeds from these sales were later wired to individuals in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.
Between April 2020 and December 2021, it is alleged that the group further enriched themselves by submitting false PUA claims using both their own names and those of identity theft victims—often listing El Primo Restaurant’s address on applications. Bank records indicate about $276,021 in fraudulent PUA funds went into accounts linked to the restaurant or its operators.
During searches of Raul Fernandez Vicioso’s home and El Primo Restaurant locations authorities recovered EBT cards obtained through fraud along with documents containing lists of more than 100 identities involved in the scheme.
Anyone wishing to report suspected fraud can contact the Council of the Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency through https://www.oversight.gov/where-report-fraud-waste-abuse-or-retaliation.
If convicted on conspiracy charges related to SNAP fraud or illegal acquisition or use of SNAP benefits each defendant could face up to five years in prison plus fines; wire fraud or money laundering charges carry penalties up to 20 years imprisonment plus higher fines. Sentences will be determined by a federal judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the charges alongside officials from several agencies including the Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General; Department of Labor Office of Inspector General; Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation; Homeland Security Investigations; Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; State Department Diplomatic Security Service; Rhode Island Office of Internal Audit Fraud Detection & Prevention Unit; Massachusetts State Police; U.S. Attorney’s Office for Rhode Island; Fitchburg Police Department; and Leominster Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial Bennett is prosecuting this case out of Worcester Branch Office.
“The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.”