Federals charge 12 people for PUA fraud scheme that resulted in $ 419,580 theft

Federal Attorney General Stephen Muldrow reported this morning that a grand federal jury charged 12 people for fraud Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program (PUA, for the acronym in English) that resulted in the illegal theft of $ 419,580.

According to the prosecutor, nine of those 12 people were arrested this morning and are awaiting the arrest of another person. Two of them are already facing justice in separate cases.

Investigations, Muldrow said, into this illegal theft of money began after receiving several confidants. The scheme consisted of applying for federal aid by providing false information about the person’s work and their social security.

At the time, the head of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office made it clear that they were continuing to investigate other fraud schemes and asked people who may have committed this crime to cooperate and turn themselves in to the authorities as soon as possible.

“To people who have incurred this scheme and we have not charged them yet, contact the law enforcement agencies and provide their information. The sooner they speak, the lesser the consequences will be for you and your family. I urge you. don’t risk it and don’t commit fraud because it will cost them dearly. There is too much federal aid, don’t abuse it. “, Said Muldrow.

Relive the press conference here:

If found guilty, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison for fraud in the postal service, 10 years for stealing money from the federal government and 5 years in prison for misuse of Social Security. In addition, they could receive a fine of up to $ 250,000 and three years on probation.

The New Day he knew that the arrests were in Humacao, Comerío and Aguas Bones, but all agencies were from various parts of the island given that the information used by those who committed the alleged fraud to receive checks had several directions.

This would be the first time federal agencies have executed arrests in Puerto Rico by the PUA.

The spokeswoman for Federal Research Office (FBI), Limary Cruz Rubio, told this medium earlier that the arrest warrants are separate and nine people had been arrested.

For his part, the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Human Resources, Carles Rivera Santiago, stressed that the arrests are the result of the collaboration between the agency and the federal authorities and stated that they continue to refer more cases of fraud in the PUA.

“Today a first group of arrests materializes. Investigations continue and unfortunately referrals continue. As mentioned by the Secretary of the Treasury, it is unfortunate to see a high volume of complaints to the PUA that did not proceed or were fraudulent. Those with knowledge should notify the relevant authorities, “he said.

For the investigation of the case involved the Federal Treasury Department, the Department of Labor and Human Resources, the United States Postal Service, and the Office of the Inspector General in Puerto Rico.

Federal authorities urged anyone who has been a victim or acquaintance of someone who committed fraud at the PUA to communicate confidentially and report the facts.

To report any type of fraud to the PUA you can call 1-866-720-5721.

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