⏱ 2 min read
Felipe Almonte Polanco, a 57-year-old Providence, Rhode Island, man, allegedly used stolen identities to fraudulently obtain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Between October 2021 and April 2026, Polanco submitted fake applications in the names of multiple victims, including a deceased individual, and used the benefits cards to make transactions at stores in Rhode Island. The scheme resulted in Polanco receiving approximately $69,000 in fraudulent SNAP benefits. Polanco, a previously convicted felon, was caught after investigators with the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and the Rhode Island Office of Internal Audit and Program Integrity began investigating suspicious applications.
Polanco’s alleged scheme involved using the identities of at least 18 individuals, including a deceased person, to get SNAP benefits. He made balance inquiries on Rhode Island EBT cards associated with the stolen identities and personally used cards issued in the names of at least nine victims. When investigators searched his residence, they found multiple EBT cards and materials used to create fake identification cards.
Polanco was previously convicted in the Western District of New York of making false statements in connection with a passport application and aggravated identity theft. The current case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter I. Roklan and Special Assistant United States Attorney John M. Moreira. The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Justice investigated the matter.
A federal grand jury in Rhode Island has returned a four-count indictment charging Polanco with wire fraud, theft of public money, false representation of a Social Security number, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, Polanco could face serious penalties, including imprisonment and fines.
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- Christopher Hayes, Wire Fraud, Rhode Island 2024 · Massachusetts
- Ambulai R. Sheku, Unemployment Insurance Fraud, Rhode Island 2024 · New York
- Carlos Iglesias, Bank Fraud, Rhode Island 2024 · Pennsylvania
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: Rhode Island
- Location: RI
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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