Massachusetts Fraud Feast: Venezuelan-Dominican Clan Busted in $1M SNAP-PUA Heist to Fuel Family Restaurant Empire [Press Conf. Video]

* The following HN report is based on a media statement from the office of United States Attorney Leah B. Foley, District of Massachusetts, including statements made today during a D.O.J. press conference (see following video)… along with an affidavit filed in federal court by Special Agent Kyle Bishop. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – In a brazen scheme that turned government aid into gourmet profits, four Massachusetts residents—two illegal aliens from Venezuelan, one green card holder currently residing in Fitchburg, and a naturalized citizen initially from the Dominican Republic—face federal charges for allegedly masterminding a multi-state identity theft ring that siphoned over $1 million in SNAP food stamps and pandemic unemployment benefits. Prosecutors say the group, centered around a Leominster eatery, exploited stolen personal data from 115 victims, including children, to fake massive households and stock their restaurant shelves for free—then wired the illicit gains abroad.   Three of the defendants—Joel Vicioso Fernandez, 42, currently residing in Fitchburg; Roman Vequiz Fernandez, 32, a Venezuelan national residing in Leominster; and Coralba Albarracin Siniva, 24, a Venezuelan national residing in Leominster—were arrested and slated for federal court appearances in Worcester on February 2, 2026. Raul Fernandez Vicioso, 37, of Fitchburg and brother to Joel, faces additional charges including wire fraud and money laundering, with his court date pending.   According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, the group and their accomplices bought stolen personal data from victims in Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Puerto Rico. They fabricated 24 fictional “households” in online SNAP applications, claiming over 100 people resided in just two single-family apartments in Providence, Rhode Island—netting $440,000 in benefits from Massachusetts and Rhode Island.   Raul and Joel allegedly blended their own information with victims’ in the scams, submitting counterfeit passports and cards photographed at or near El Primo Restaurant in Leominster, which Raul operates. The fraudsters then swiped bogus EBT cards for bulk buys of premium meats like chicken, beef, and pork at local wholesalers, stocking the restaurant for free. “With supplies obtained at no expense,” charging documents state, “they prepared and sold menu items at complete profit,” funneling proceeds via wires to Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.   The plot extended to pandemic relief: Between April 2020 and December 2021, they allegedly scored over $700,000 in PUA from Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Washington, and Nevada. Using 29 identities—many overlapping SNAP victims—the applications listed El Primo’s address as home base. Bank records reveal $276,021 deposited into accounts tied to the restaurant, Raul, Joel, and others, with more on prepaid cards.   Raids on Raul’s home and El Primo uncovered fraudulent EBT cards from Massachusetts and Rhode Island, fake documents with Providence addresses, ledgers listing over 100 identities, and SNAP mailings.   U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the charges alongside leaders from the USDA Office of Inspector General, Department of Labor OIG, IRS Criminal Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations. Support came from agencies including SSA OIG, DHS OIG, USPS, State Department DSS, Rhode Island auditors, Massachusetts State Police, Rhode Island U.S. Attorney’s Office, and local police in Fitchburg and Leominster. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial Bennett is prosecuting.   Convictions could mean up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud and money laundering, five years for SNAP offenses, plus hefty fines. Sentences follow U.S. Guidelines.     HN Note: This is just the tip of the iceberg. Recent audits and busts reveal extensive fraud ongoing across Massachusetts, with millions in taxpayer dollars at stake. Without stronger oversight, the theft will continue. Tipsters can help officials bring alleged fraudsters to justice—report suspicions at oversight.gov link.  * CLICK HERE * Please report fraud at oversight.gov HN Reminder: The initial details contained in the above report are based on a media statement from the office of United States Attorney Leah B. Foley, District of Massachusetts, including statements made today during a D.O.J. press conference (see following video)… along with an affidavit filed in federal court by Special Agent Kyle Bishop. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. [VIDEO OF TODAY’S D.O.J. PRESS CONFERENCE – PRESS PLAY]   P.S. – Today’s Hytown Vignette is brought to you by Gualberto Ibarreto… [CLICK IT/CRANK IT! HEADPHONES ABSOLUTELY OBLIGATORY!]