Federal prosecutors have uncovered what they describe as a sweeping, multi state fraud operation that allegedly siphoned more than $1.1 million from taxpayer funded welfare and pandemic relief programs using stolen identities, fraudulent benefit applications, and a small restaurant as the hub of the operation.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, four foreign born individuals have been charged in connection with a scheme that targeted the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance across several states.
The alleged ringleader is Raul Fernandez Vicioso, a 37 year old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from the Dominican Republic and the owner of El Primo Restaurant in Leominster. Prosecutors say he worked alongside three other foreign nationals to orchestrate the operation.
Those charged alongside Vicioso include Joel Vicioso Fernandez, a green card holder from the Dominican Republic, Roman Vequiz Fernandez, a Venezuelan national who no longer has lawful status, and Coralba Albarracin Siniva, also a Venezuelan national whose temporary protected status has expired.
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