Breaking news … Feds crack down on food stamp fraud
The New Al-Madeena Grocery, located at 2220 Caniff, was one of six Hamtramck markets raided today by federal and state investigators in connection with food stamp fraud.
By Charles Sercombe
On Tuesday morning, federal and state investigators raided six Hamtramck markets, all Bengali-owned, for allegedly participating in food stamp fraud.
Raids were also conducted in other markets in Warren and Detroit.
We will have more details on the matter later in the week, but for now, here is an excerpt from a press release issued today by the US Attorney’s Office:
“ Eleven individuals were charged and arrested in metro-Detroit today on criminal food stamp fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade. …
“Today’s announcement comes at the conclusion of a joint federal and state search and arrest warrant operation that investigated retailers in Hamtramck, Warren, and Detroit who were illegally trafficking in food stamps.
“The charges allege that store owners and employees allowed SNAP and WIC benefit recipients to use their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to exchange their SNAP or WIC benefits for cash. In return, the stores added a surcharge to the recipients’ withdrawal of SNAP and WIC benefits, sometimes in an amount equal to that of the amount of cash benefit received by the recipient. SNAP and WIC benefit funds are transferred electronically directly to bank accounts managed by the retailers. These transactions totaled an estimated $12.5 million dollars during the investigation.
“The following individuals were arrested today and will be appearing in federal court this afternoon:
Al Amin Supermarket, 11920 Conant, Hamtramck, owner Moklasur Mukul, age 36, of Hamtramck;
Bengal American Grocery, 9800 Joseph Campau Avenue, Hamtramck, manager Mohamed Ali, age 38, resident of Detroit;
Deshi Bazar, 12045 Conant Street, Hamtramck, owners Ali Ahmed, age 31, and Nazir Ahmed, age 32, and employee Mustak Ahmed, age 34, all residents of Detroit;
Maloncho Greens House, 12133 Conant Street, Hamtramck, owner Azizur Ullah, age 37, of Hamtramck, and employees Mohammed Chadek, age 44, Mohammed Miah, age 38, and Mohammed Amin, age 38, residents of Hamtramck;
New Al-Madeena Grocery, 2220-2222 Caniff Street, Hamtramck, owner Dilshad Chowdhury, age 34, resident of Hamtramck.
Pay-Less Foods, 11350 Joseph Campau Avenue, Hamtramck, owner Mohamed Ahmed, age 58, resident of Hamtramck;
“Other locations in metro-Detroit were also searched as part of the investigation.
‘Taxpayers in Michigan fund food stamp programs to provide food for the needy, not to create a commodity to be traded for profit,’ McQuade said. ‘We hope today’s charges will deter other merchants to ensure that food assistance programs are not abused.’
‘Michigan families are working harder than ever for every tax dollar,’ said Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette. ‘Today’s charges should send the message that we will not stand by while tax dollars are being stolen. Enriching yourself at public expense is not only shameful, but compromises the integrity of government and violates the public trust. I would like to thank our state and federal partners for their cooperative efforts to secure justice and fight fraud wherever it is found.’
‘This investigation and prosecution should send a strong zero-tolerance message to those individuals engaged in the practice of defrauding taxpayer funded WIC and SNAP programs,’ said Anthony Mohatt, Special Agent-in-Charge, USDA-Office of Inspector General.
‘It should also serve as a warning to all stores, that participate in the WIC and SNAP programs as vendors, that fraud and trafficking (purchasing those benefits for cash) will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted by the USDA-OIG, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and all its federal, state, and local partners that have a stake in ensuring that fraud is eliminated from taxpayer funded programs.’
‘Far from being a victimless crime, the offenders in this investigation brazenly defrauded a combined amount of approximately $12.5 million from taxpayer funded programs,’ stated Paul M. Abbate, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office.
The press release did not say what the penalty is for the charges.
12 Responses to Breaking news … Feds crack down on food stamp fraud
Leave a Reply
john doe
September 23, 2014 at 5:19 pm
This should be on American Greed
DetroitDiesel
September 23, 2014 at 8:35 pm
Now I know why they love the US so much, they can come here NOT assimilate and get free money. Who can blame them.
lol
September 24, 2014 at 3:01 am
Haaaa haaaaa haaaa.good job fed..
lol
September 24, 2014 at 3:03 am
Thats what im talking about.good job fed.
Ken Hissong
September 24, 2014 at 9:33 am
The feds also raided the Hera Fish Market on Holbrook. Watched them take out file boxes. Store is now closed.
Michelle
September 24, 2014 at 11:35 am
Maybe, just maybe, one day they will stop the ones I see at SAMs club using their “benefits” to buy cases of products for THEIR STORES!
Wth is wrong with this country, I’m tired of living paycheck to paycheck while they use our tax dollars to fund their own businesses to support their families in other countries! That’s taking food out of my kids mouths that I WORK FOR, to give to them.
Beyond Frustrated!
trouth
September 24, 2014 at 12:41 pm
That is why too many bengali Grocery opened in hamtramck.
Detroiter
September 24, 2014 at 1:33 pm
Fuck all you haters leaving comments.
Abcd
September 24, 2014 at 1:44 pm
Screw you
Kristi
September 25, 2014 at 5:47 am
First of all, if the state would give the familys of hardship the proper help the deserve, maybe they wouldnt have to trade stamps for cash. Not getting help to pay a utitly bill, rent, school clothes, shoes whatever the case maybe. Yes “get a job you say”,even then people still struggle. So fuck it, the government screws over us why not screwed the back.
Kristi
September 25, 2014 at 5:49 am
Whats your take on my comment, I wouldn’t mind a friendly debate.
Diane
September 25, 2014 at 10:27 pm
I was raised in Hamtramck many years ago when people took pride in their businesses and customers knew they were getting goods that were baked fresh and made locally. They paid with money that they earned from working in the factories. Then these people come in and turn this city into an empty store area with merchants cheating the government and the people. Send those people that were arrested back to their own country. Yes I say “get a job” and stop letting is pay for your food, clothes, utilities, alcohol and big cars. My family doesn’t have a lot but we do have pride in what we’ve worked for and paid for without gov. assistance. Sorry to have run on like this but I am Polish and proud.