Two Pennsylvania Men Charged with Defrauding Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program of Nearly $220,000

Strategic Insights -

Federal authorities have charged two Pennsylvania men with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft after allegedly defrauding the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program of nearly $220,000. Alexander Daravina, aka Alexander Danazina and "Colombian Al," 38, of Dallas, Pennsylvania, and Moses Benabe, 25, of Philadelphia, were charged in an indictment with conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, seven counts of wire fraud, and seven counts of aggravated identity theft. The scheme allegedly took place from July 2020 through September 2020, during which time Daravina, while incarcerated at State Correctional Institution Phoenix, obtained the personal identification information of dozens of real people, including other inmates at the facility.

Key Takeaways:

  • Two Pennsylvania men, Alexander Daravina and Moses Benabe, were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for allegedly defrauding the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program of nearly $220,000.
  • The scheme allegedly involved obtaining the personal identification information of dozens of real people, including inmates at State Correctional Institution Phoenix, and using it to apply for PUA benefits on their behalf.
  • The defendants directed others to apply for PUA benefits using the stolen PII, and when the applications were approved, they had the debit cards sent to addresses under the control of the conspiracy.
  • The defendants then withdrew cash from ATMs and purchased items using the fraudulently issued cards.
  • If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum possible sentence of 161 years' imprisonment, a mandatory minimum of two years' imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $3.75 million fine.
  • The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, with prosecution by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Dubnoff.

Statistics:

  • $218,570: The amount allegedly defrauded from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.
  • 7: The number of counts of wire fraud to which the defendants were charged.
  • 7: The number of counts of aggravated identity theft to which the defendants were charged.
  • 161: The maximum possible years' imprisonment to which the defendants are subject if convicted.
  • $3.75 million: The maximum possible fine to which the defendants are subject if convicted.

Sources:

  • [https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/two-pennsylvania-men-charged-defrauding-pandemic-unemployment-assistance-program](https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/two-pennsylvania-men-charged-defrauding-pandemic-unemployment-assistance-program)