Two Pennsylvania men have been indicted for allegedly defrauding the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program of nearly $220,000. United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Alexander Daravina, also known as Alexander Danazina and “Colombian Al,” 38, of Dallas, Pennsylvania, and Moses Benabe, 25, of Philadelphia, were charged with conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, seven counts of wire fraud, and seven counts of aggravated identity theft.
According to the indictment, from July 2020 through September 2020 while incarcerated at State Correctional Institution Phoenix (SCI Phoenix), Daravina obtained personal identification information—including names, dates of birth, and social security numbers—of dozens of real people. This included other inmates at SCI Phoenix. The indictment states that Daravina shared this information with Benabe and others and directed them to apply for PUA benefits on behalf of these individuals despite knowing they were not eligible.
The PUA program was created under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March 2020 to provide unemployment benefits to those not eligible for regular or extended unemployment compensation. Approved applicants could receive benefits via electronic funds transfer or by check or debit card mailed to their address.
The indictment further alleges that Benabe used the stolen personal information provided by Daravina to submit fraudulent PUA applications. When these applications were approved, debit cards loaded with benefit funds were sent to addresses controlled by members of the conspiracy. The group then withdrew cash from ATMs and made purchases using these cards.
If convicted on all charges, each defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 161 years in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of two years’ imprisonment. Additional penalties include three years of supervised release and a fine up to $3.75 million.
The FBI and Department of Labor Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Mark Dubnoff is prosecuting.
“The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court,” said U.S. Attorney David Metcalf.
