NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Officials arrested a man for committing fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with a COVID-19 unemployment benefit scheme that attempted to steal more than $1.9 million.
Yohauris Rodriguez Hernandez, 40, was arrested Wednesday morning in Goshen, authorities said.
According to a court complaint, from February through December 2020, Hernandez and a co-conspirator engaged in a scheme to obtain COVID-19 unemployment benefits through the fraudulent filing and verification of applications using the names and social security numbers of at least 100 other people.
Law enforcement agencies were first alerted to the scheme after Hernandez and his co-conspirator fled a Yonkers hotel in December 2020 leaving behind over 500 pieces of mail from the state department of labor containing information and state-issued debit cards for approximately 76 individuals.
Over the course of the investigation, Hernandez and the co-conspirator exchanged text messages, images, and other communications that included, among other things, personal identifying information—such as names, social security numbers, and dates of birth—that were used in connection with the filing and verification of fraudulent applications for unemployment benefits.
The scheme resulted in fraudulent claims for approximately $1.9 million and the fraudulent disbursement of over $500,000 in COVID-19 unemployment benefits.
“The defendant participated in a scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 unemployment benefits under the names and social security numbers of at least 100 other people, which attempted to steal more than $1.9 million and resulted in the fraudulent disbursement of more than $500,000," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said.
Hernandez is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit theft of government benefits, and aggravated identity theft.
If convicted, he faces a sentence of over 30 years.
“This defendant allegedly took advantage of the urgent need to assist those struggling financially during the coronavirus pandemic; allegedly stealing identities and using those identities to file for unemployment benefits in a scheme to enrich their own lifestyle while others suffered,” USPIS Inspector in Charge Daniel B. Brubaker said.
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