Abdulai Kamara Cops Heat for $48K Govt Benefits Scam

Abdulai Kamara, 47, of Folsom, Pennsylvania, is staring down federal charges after allegedly pocketing $47,992.30 in Social Security benefits meant for his deceased paramour. The theft began shortly after her death in May 2012 and ran unchecked until June 2014, according to a criminal Information filed by federal prosecutors.

Kamara is formally charged with one count of theft of government funds, a felony that carries a brutal bite: up to 10 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and a mandatory $100 special assessment. On top of that, he’s looking at a 3-year leash of supervised release and full restitution of $47,992.30 if convicted.

The scheme was simple but cold-blooded. After his partner died, Kamara allegedly kept cashing her Social Security checks instead of notifying the government. For over two years, he funneled federal funds into his own pockets—money meant for the living, not the dead.

Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen, who announced the charge, made it clear: “Stealing from federal benefit programs hits taxpayers and undermines trust in critical safety nets.” His office isn’t cutting slack for sentimental excuses—this is straight-up fraud.

The Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General led the investigation, tracking down the paper trail that linked Kamara to the illicit payments. No arrests were detailed in the filing, but the case is now in the hands of Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda R. Reinitz for prosecution.

An Information, as noted by prosecutors, is not a conviction—it’s a formal accusation. Abdulai Kamara is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. But in the court of public opinion, cashing checks from the grave is a hard sell.