Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A Fitchburg, Massachusetts man pleaded guilty on Mar. 24 in federal court to his role in a conspiracy that used stolen identities to obtain $440,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as over $700,000 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits from multiple states.
The case highlights the use of stolen personal information from more than 100 individuals across several states to fraudulently access public assistance programs intended for those in need. The fraudulent activity affected not only SNAP and PUA funds but also involved the creation of fake households and businesses to disguise the illegal proceeds.
Raul Fernandez Vicioso, 37, pleaded guilty to charges including Conspiracy to Commit SNAP Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, SNAP benefit Fraud, Aiding and Abetting, and Money Laundering. Sentencing is scheduled for July 9 before U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman. Three alleged co-conspirators—Joel Vicioso Fernandez of Fitchburg; Roman Vequiz Fernandez and Coralba Albarracin Siniva of Leominster—were also charged by criminal complaint.
According to charging documents, Fernandez Vicioso and his co-conspirators purchased stolen identities used to create fake households listed at two Providence apartments for SNAP applications. They provided counterfeit passports as supporting documents taken inside or near El Primo Restaurant operated by Fernandez Vicioso in Leominster. The group allegedly used fraudulent SNAP cards to buy bulk food items at wholesalers for El Primo Restaurant without expense before selling menu items at full profit and wiring proceeds abroad.
Investigators found that between April 2020 and December 2021 the defendants submitted fraudulent PUA applications using at least 29 different identities across six states with El Primo Restaurant's address listed as their residence. Bank records showed approximately $276,021 deposited into accounts tied directly or indirectly to Fernandez Vicioso or his associates.
During searches of residences linked with the accused parties, authorities recovered fraudulent EBT cards from Massachusetts and Rhode Island along with ledgers listing over one hundred identities connected with the scheme.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the plea along with officials from several federal agencies who assisted in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial Bennett is prosecuting the case.
All remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
