If a fraudster wants to avoid scrutiny, it’s best not to point a weapon at investigators who show up with a search warrant. A former convenience store owner alerted investigators to his food stamp scam by pointing a gun at federal investigators and police who knocked on the door of his residence. (I’m guessing the rest of the visit did not go so well.)
A story posted on WKBN.com provides details on how the former convenience store owner conducted his scam. He sold alcohol, tobacco and additional prohibited items not allowed by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in exchange for Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) funds. (The fraudster collected $2 million in illegally-obtained food stamp benefits through fraudulent claims.)
The former businessman pleaded guilty to food stamp fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced.
It remains to be seen what this man’s sentence will be for this crime, but whatever the punishment is, it will be in addition to his current sentence. (He was sentenced to eight years in prison for pointing a gun at investigators who were looking into the alleged food stamp fraud.)
Fraudsters usually try to keep under the radar so their illegal schemes go undetected. (This guy might as well have waved a white surrender flag and said, ”Here I am! Come get me.”)
Source: Today’s ”Fraud of the Day” is based on an article entitled, ”Former Youngstown businessman convicted of food stamp fraud,” posted on WKBN.com on September 22, 2016.
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) A former Youngstown convenience store owner pleaded guilty to charges related to a $2 million food stamp fraud investigation.
George Rafidi pleaded guilty to illegal use of food stamps in court on Thursday. He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 4.
