17 Charged in $2.4M SNAP Fraud Scheme, U.S. Attorney Announces

Seventeen individuals face charges for defrauding the U.S. of over $2.4 million through fraudulent SNAP transactions.Photo byKilian SeileronUnsplash

Seventeen individuals have been charged with conspiring to defraud the U.S. of more than $2.4 million through fraudulent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purchases, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced Thursday.

According to court documents, the following individuals have been arrested and charged with conspiring to defraud the United States: Ramirez Dumitru, 25; Giovanni Spirea, 28; Santa-Madalina Costache, 25; Florin Mareata, 25; Anita Vaduva, 36; Ion Paul Miclescu, 19; Nicolas Barbosu, 25; Alberto Tomescu, 27; Oana Aura Cristina Caldararu, 23; Roberta Elena Sardaru, 27; Salvis Foro Dunca, 26; Ana Patricia Escalante, 57; Jessica Gonzalez, 27; Edwin Lionel Santizo-Ralon, 54; Cristina Yesenia Escalante, 33; Edgar Basilio Hernandez, 33; and Marta Hernandez de Estrada, 53.

“This group targeted a program that ensures access to healthy and affordable groceries for low-income and food insecure individuals and families,” said Natalie Wight, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon in a statement.

“We thank all our partners for their commitment to protecting the integrity of vital public programs like SNAP.”

Court documents reveal that from August 2023 to October 2024, Dumitru and his network allegedly orchestrated a plan involving skimming devices and stolen Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) accounts to siphon off Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for illegal purchases.

Dumitru provided key information to other members of the group, enabling them to use stolen EBT accounts to buy large amounts of infant formula, energy drinks, and other nonperishable items from grocery stores across Oregon, Washington, and California, as well as online platforms offering curbside pickup, according to court filings.

Throughout the operation, the conspirators reportedly acquired over 120,000 pounds of goods, which were stored at various residential properties and storage units in Oregon and Washington.

The items were later packaged and transported to California in personal vehicles or via commercial carriers, as detailed in court documents.

With more than $2.4 million in SNAP benefits allegedly diverted to purchase these goods, court filings indicate that the products were then sold on the black market, the U.S. Attorney’s Office.