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Feds Charge Four in Massachusetts in Alleged $1 Million SNAP and Pandemic Unemployment Fraud

Prosecutors say stolen identities funded bulk EBT purchases that supplied the lead defendant’s Leominster restaurant, with further enforcement actions expected.

U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley addresses the media at a press conference in connection with an alleged fraud scheme involving SNAP benefits, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., February 3, 2026. REUTERS/Taylor Coester
U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley addresses the media at a press conference in connection with an alleged fraud scheme involving SNAP benefits, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., February 3, 2026. REUTERS/Taylor Coester
U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley addresses the media at a press conference in connection with an alleged fraud scheme involving SNAP benefits, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., February 3, 2026. REUTERS/Taylor Coester
U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley addresses the media at a press conference in connection with an alleged fraud scheme involving SNAP benefits, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., February 3, 2026. REUTERS/Taylor Coester

Overview

  • The U.S. Attorney’s Office alleges more than 100 stolen identities were used to obtain over $1 million in SNAP and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance across multiple states.
  • Lead defendant Raul Fernandez Vicioso of Fitchburg faces conspiracy, SNAP fraud, wire fraud, aiding and abetting, and money laundering charges, while three co-defendants face SNAP conspiracy charges.
  • Investigators say the scheme centered on El Primo in Leominster, where meals were prepared and sold using bulk food bought with stolen EBT benefits, with proceeds later wired to individuals in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.
  • Prosecutors detail about $440,000 in SNAP benefits tied to Massachusetts and Rhode Island and more than $700,000 in PUA paid out by Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Washington, and Nevada.
  • Rhode Island flagged suspicious 2024 applications linked to two apartments, prompting a Massachusetts review that identified over $115,000 in benefits tied to stolen identities and leading to searches that recovered counterfeit passports, EBT cards, identity lists, and SNAP-related mailings.