Pittsburgh Man Scammed COVID Funds, Faces Decades

PITTSBURGH, PA – A brazen scheme to steal COVID-19 relief funds has landed a Turkish citizen in federal hot water. Hakan Kantar, formerly of 3803 Wick Place, Wexford, PA 15090, was indicted this week on charges of mail and wire fraud, according to U.S. Attorney Cindy K. Chung.

The two-count indictment alleges Kantar lied about his citizenship status to secure a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the Small Business Administration and fraudulently claimed unemployment benefits from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As a non-citizen, Kantar was ineligible for both programs, turning a lifeline intended for struggling Americans into a personal windfall.

Federal investigators say Kantar knowingly misrepresented himself to access funds designed to help those devastated by the pandemic. The details of the fraudulent applications weren’t immediately released, but authorities are confident they’ve built a solid case. The United States Postal Inspection Service spearheaded the investigation, uncovering the alleged deception.

If convicted, Kantar faces a staggering maximum sentence: up to 60 years in federal prison. He could also be slapped with a $2,000,000 fine. However, the final sentence will hinge on the severity of the crime and any prior criminal record. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Leo Ivory is leading the prosecution.

This case is part of a larger federal push to crack down on COVID-19 related fraud. The Department of Justice has dedicated resources to pursuing those who exploited the pandemic for personal gain. Citizens are urged to report any suspected fraud schemes to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline at (1-866-720-5721) or via their online reporting form: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is merely an accusation. Hakan Kantar is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any developments as they unfold. For more information on the Department of Justice’s COVID-19 efforts, visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.