DOJ: Worcester Man Indicted for Snap Fraud

• The defendant allegedly collected approximately $12,623 in SNAP benefits from April 2022 through February 2026.
• He faces charges including unlawfully obtaining SNAP benefits, false representation of a Social Security number, and aggravated identity theft.

A federal grand jury indicted a Worcester, Massachusetts man, known as "John Doe," for using the identity of a deceased U.S. citizen to obtain SNAP and MassHealth benefits, as well as a Massachusetts identification card. The indictment follows an investigation into benefit fraud involving federal and state assistance programs, with the defendant remaining in federal custody since his arrest in April 2026.

According to court documents, John Doe allegedly used the stolen identity to apply for and receive approximately $12,623 in SNAP benefits between April 2022 and February 2026. The charges against him include unlawfully obtaining SNAP benefits, false representation of a Social Security number, false statements relating to health care matters, and aggravated identity theft.

• $12,623 SNAP benefits allegedly obtained
• 20 years Maximum sentence for unlawfully obtaining SNAP benefits
• $250,000 Maximum fine for each charge

• Review SNAP and MassHealth applications for identity inconsistencies, especially where Social Security numbers match deceased individuals, as flagged in the DTA file.
• Audit benefit approvals from April 2022 through February 2026 for similar patterns of identity misuse as described in the DOJ indictment.
• Cross-check applicants with criminal convictions under multiple identities, as the defendant had prior convictions under the stolen identity.

This case highlights the risks of benefit fraud through identity theft, particularly using identities of deceased individuals to access federal and state assistance programs. For AML/CFT compliance officers, it underscores the importance of robust identity verification processes and cross-agency data sharing to detect and prevent fraudulent benefit claims. The indictment also demonstrates the legal consequences and financial penalties associated with such fraud, reinforcing the need for vigilant monitoring and reporting of suspicious activities involving public assistance programs.