Federal prosecutors in Massachusetts have charged four foreign-born individuals in connection with a sweeping public-benefits fraud operation that allegedly siphoned more than $1.1 million from taxpayer-funded programs across multiple states.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, the case centers on fraudulent applications for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) funds using more than 115 stolen identities.
Defendants Identified
The lone U.S. citizen charged is Raul Fernandez Vicioso, 37, a naturalized citizen from the Dominican Republic and owner of El Primo Restaurant in Leominster, Massachusetts.
The three additional defendants are:
• Joel Vicioso Fernandez, 42, a green card holder from the Dominican Republic
• Roman Vequiz Fernandez, 32, a Venezuelan national who previously held Temporary Protected Status but no longer has lawful status
• Coralba Albarracin Siniva, 24, a Venezuelan national who also previously held Temporary Protected Status but no longer has lawful status
Alleged Identity Theft and SNAP Fraud
Charging documents state the group allegedly stole personal information from victims in eight states and Puerto Rico, then used the data to create 24 fraudulent “households” tied to two apartments in Providence, Rhode Island.
Between 2023 and 2025, prosecutors say the defendants submitted online SNAP applications in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, obtaining approximately:
• $325,000 from Rhode Island
• $115,000 from Massachusetts
The benefits were issued on electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards.
Authorities allege the defendants:
• Removed printed names from EBT cards
• Reset PIN numbers
• Used the cards to buy bulk food items such as beef, chicken, and pork from wholesalers, including BJ’s
Those goods were then allegedly supplied to El Primo Restaurant, where they were prepared and sold.
Prosecutors stated that:
“With their supplies obtained for free through fraudulent SNAP benefits, prosecutors said they prepared and then sold menu items at El Primo Restaurant at a complete profit, later wiring the fraud proceeds, among other places, to individuals living in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.”
Investigators linked the fraudulent purchases through surveillance footage and store transaction records.
Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Allegations
In addition to SNAP fraud, prosecutors allege the defendants submitted fraudulent PUA claims between April 2020 and December 2021 in:
- Massachusetts
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Ohio
- Washington
- Nevada
Using at least 29 stolen identities, the group allegedly obtained more than $700,000, with funds deposited into bank accounts or prepaid cards under their control.
All applications reportedly listed El Primo Restaurant’s address as the residence.
Bank records show roughly $276,021 in PUA benefits deposited into accounts connected to the restaurant and the defendants.
Investigation Triggered by Rhode Island Audit
Authorities first uncovered the alleged scheme in June 2024.
A Rhode Island internal audit flagged more than 100 identities linked to two Providence apartments.
Rhode Island officials alerted Massachusetts authorities, leading investigators to uncover related fraudulent benefits in that state.
Prosecutors Warn of Broader Fraud Problem
U.S. Attorney Leah Foley described the charges as part of a wider national pattern of abuse involving government benefit programs.
“It is no secret there is rampant fraud across this nation,” Foley said.
“The charges announced today are just a snapshot of the bigger picture, not just in Massachusetts but across the country.”
Foley added that her office is appointing a fraud coordinator due to the scale of benefit fraud emerging in the state.
“You should anticipate seeing more and more of these cases coming here in Massachusetts,” she said.
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