Eight people were charged for their alleged involvement in a fraud scheme that stole $7 million from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
According to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the alleged scam affected thousands of people between April 2023 and September 2025, including some residents who never got the benefits that were stolen from them.
According to authorities, the eight people are suspected of opening merchant processing accounts using actual and fictional deli names in order to acquire Electronic Benefits Transfer numbers and personal identity information attached with each account.
The group then allegedly swiped and used the accounts as soon as the benefits were loaded, leaving some EBT users with emptied accounts when they attempted to use them, according to officials.
“The defendants allegedly tracked the timing of benefit funds and drained accounts before the legitimate SNAP recipient could buy food and other necessities, eventually stealing more than $7 million,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated.
The organization operated out of a Yonkers deli and hotels, using stolen funds to buy expensive cars and transport money worldwide, notably to Yemen.
“These alleged crimes not only resulted in the pilfering of public funds from a critical City-administered food program, but also left vulnerable New Yorkers without essential benefits to purchase groceries,” Department of Investigation Commissioner Nadia Shihata said in a statement.
Prosecutors recognized only five of the accused: Belal Hauter, 34; Gregory Fabiani, 46; Abdulla Aezah, 35; Milton Rios, 53; and Yvette Rivera, 58.
Three of the five named suspects were apprehended in New York City. The remaining three have not been arrested, according to the District Attorney’s office.
The eight people are now facing conspiracy, grand larceny, and identity theft charges.
Attorney contact information for those arrested was not immediately available.
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