A federal jury has convicted Aly Kaba, 30, of New Rochelle, New York, on charges related to pandemic fraud and identity theft. The verdict was reached on October 21, 2025, after a five-day trial in Albany. Kaba was found guilty of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, two counts of mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft for obtaining COVID-19 unemployment benefits using stolen identities.
According to evidence presented at trial, Kaba conspired with his former roommate Tony Brobbey in late 2020 to obtain over $150,000 in fraudulent unemployment insurance benefits from the New York State Department of Labor. The scheme involved using multiple stolen identities—including those of living victims and two deceased individuals—to file claims seeking more than $500,000 in total benefits. Prosecutors showed that proceeds from the fraud were used for overseas travel and luxury purchases such as a Rolex watch.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said: “Kaba used stolen identities to fleece benefits programs intended to benefit workers during a desperate time. Thanks to the hard work of prosecutors in my office and each law enforcement agency involved in this task force, Kaba’s days of exotic travel on the taxpayers’ dime are over and his next trip will be to federal prison.”
USPIS Acting Inspector in Charge Nicholas Bucciarelli stated: “Mr. Kaba’s conviction should serve notice to anyone hoping to misuse the mail for fraudulent purposes. Postal Inspectors and their law enforcement partners will vigorously investigate mail fraud, protect public funds, and bring perpetrators to justice.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan said: "This conviction reinforces HSI Albany's commitment, alongside our law enforcement partners, to protecting communities from fraud and ensuring that relief programs serve those who truly need them. We are proud to have successfully brought justice in a case that safeguards the public by preventing the exploitation of critical government resources."
USDOL-OIG Special Agent in Charge Jonathan R. Mellone stated: “Aly Kaba unlawfully profited from a scheme that used stolen identities to fraudulently obtain critical taxpayer funds intended for qualified individuals in need of unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Safeguarding the integrity of the unemployment insurance program remains a top priority for the Office of Inspector General. We will continue to work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to ensure the protection of U.S. Department of Labor programs and operations.”
Kaba is scheduled for sentencing on February 27, 2026. Each conspiracy and mail fraud charge carries up to 20 years in prison, fines up to $250,000, and supervised release terms up to three years; aggravated identity theft carries an additional mandatory two-year sentence.
Brobbey previously pleaded guilty to related charges; his sentencing is set for January 7, 2026.
The investigation was conducted by USPIS, HSI, USDOL-OIG with support from U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s New York Field Office and New York State Department of Labor’s Office of Special Investigations.
