PROVIDENCE, R.I. – In another blow to those who seek to exploit the system, Mashhod Afzal, 25, of North Providence, has been charged with conspiracy, food stamp fraud and lying to a federal agent in a $3 million food stamp scam.
Afzal, an employee of the Stop & Go convenience store in Providence, was named in a federal superseding indictment returned by a grand jury on Wednesday, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha.
This is the 10th defendant to be charged in the ongoing investigation, which uncovered more than $3 million dollars of alleged fraud of the food stamp program in Rhode Island.
According to court records, a pattern of conspiracies and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits abuse was revealed when federal law enforcement undercover investigators visited area convenience stores; examined thousands of documents, bank records and tax filings; and reviewed information and evidence seized during the execution of court authorized search warrants at several businesses on April 1, 2013.
It is alleged in court documents that store owners and/or employees allowed SNAP benefit recipients to use their Electronic Benefit Transfer cards to exchange their SNAP benefits for cash, a violation of the program’s laws and regulations.
The scam allegedly involved store owners and employees adding a surcharge to the recipients’ withdrawal of SNAP benefits, usually an amount equal to that of the amount of cash benefit received by the recipient.
SNAP benefit funds are transferred electronically directly to accounts managed by the retailer.
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Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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