Federal authorities have uncovered a large-scale benefits fraud operation involving stolen identities, with four individuals accused of orchestrating a scheme that allegedly defrauded government assistance programs of more than $1 million. According to a statement released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Justice, the suspects used at least 115 stolen identities to illegally obtain food stamp benefits and pandemic-era unemployment assistance across multiple states.
Prosecutors allege that the group exploited personal information taken from individuals nationwide, including the identities of six children. The stolen information was used to fraudulently apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits in Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Washington, and Nevada.
The defendants were identified as Joel Vicioso Fernandez, 42, and Raul Fernandez Vicioso, 37, both residents of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, along with Roman Vequiz Fernandez, 32, and Coralba Albarracin Siniva, 24, both Venezuelan nationals residing in Leominster, Massachusetts. Investigators say the four defendants purchased stolen identity information associated with 24 fictitious “households” and used those identities to submit SNAP applications under the names of more than 100 individuals. All of the applications listed two single-family apartments in Providence, Rhode Island, as the residence for the supposed beneficiaries.
Court records indicate that Raul Fernandez Vicioso, a Dominican national, and Joel Vicioso Fernandez allegedly mixed their own personal information with victim identities to establish fraudulent SNAP accounts. Authorities also reported that counterfeit passport images were submitted as part of the scheme. Metadata from those images allegedly showed they were taken inside or near El Primo Restaurant, a Leominster-based business operated by Raul Fernandez Vicioso.
According to federal prosecutors, the fraudulently obtained SNAP benefits were used to purchase bulk food supplies, including large quantities of meat, from wholesalers and local markets. These goods were then used to stock El Primo Restaurant, allowing the business to sell menu items at full profit without paying for inventory. Investigators further allege that proceeds from the scheme were wired to individuals in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.
In addition to food stamp fraud, prosecutors say the defendants collected approximately $700,000 through fraudulent PUA claims filed between April 2020 and December 2021. At least 29 stolen identities were allegedly used, all listing El Primo Restaurant as a residential address. More than $276,000 in fraudulent unemployment benefits were reportedly deposited into accounts connected to the restaurant and the defendants.
Searches of the restaurant and Raul Fernandez Vicioso’s home allegedly uncovered fraudulent EBT cards, counterfeit documents, handwritten lists containing over 100 identities, and SNAP-related correspondence. All four defendants now face federal charges related to SNAP fraud, with Raul Fernandez Vicioso also charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering as the investigation continues.
