4 days ago
Trio in Ohio Stole $600K in SNAP Benefits to Buy Junk Food: Officials
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Three people in Ohio are accused of stealing $600,000 worth of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase candy and energy drinks, according to local officials.
Newsweek has contacted the Ohio Department of Public Safety via email for comment.
Why It Matters
SNAP benefits provide food benefits to low-income families and is a common target for fraud. SNAP benefits are administered to recipients through electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, which are loaded with money each month to use in participating stores across the country. Like regular debit or credit cards, they are subject to scams such as cloning, phishing or skimming.
During the first quarter of 2025, nearly 18,500 households in Ohio reported SNAP benefit theft totaling almost $18.5 million, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
What To Know
After a year-long investigation, Columbus residents Ionut Bizga, 33, Doina Bacelan, 32, and Juan Hernandez, 26, have each been indicted for a "pattern of corrupt activity and food stamp fraud," according to a spokesperson with the Ohio Department of Public Safety, speaking to local news station WHIO-TV.
The investigation started in August 2024 when the Ohio Investigative Unit (OIU) got a tip about stolen SNAP benefits being used for fake EBT transactions at Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale stores in Columbus.
Agents linked the suspects to the fraudulent EBT purchases by using several surveillance techniques and store video. The suspects allegedly bought large amounts of candy and energy drinks with the stolen benefits, with around $3,000 worth of goods bought each visit.
The candy and beverages were stored in various Columbus storage units before being transported out of state in box trucks, often ending up with local distributors. Investigators also found card skimmers, cloned gift and credit cards, laptops and cell phones that are linked to the case.
Lawmakers in Ohio are working to combat the pervasive SNAP benefit theft issue. Ohio Representatives Kellie Deeter, Tristan Rader, and Desiree Tims have introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen protections for SNAP recipients.
House Bill 163, the Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2025, co-sponsored by Rader and Deeter, proposes replacing current EBT cards with chip-enabled versions, launching a pilot program in high-risk areas, educating recipients on fraud prevention, and working with retailers to enhance transaction security.
Meanwhile, House Bill 174, the No Hungry Families Act, co-sponsored by Rader and Tims, seeks to establish a state-run reimbursement program for SNAP recipients whose benefits are stolen. The bill would allocate state funds to help families recover lost food assistance and directly address common fraud tactics like card skimming and cloning.
Stock image/file photo: Police lights on law enforcement vehicles.
Stock image/file photo: Police lights on law enforcement vehicles.
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What People Are Saying
Ohio Representative Tristan Rader said on LinkedIn regarding overall SNAP benefit theft in Ohio earlier this year: "Tens of thousands of Ohio families have had their SNAP benefits stolen, leaving them without food and putting more pressure on food banks. I am working to stop this fraud and make sure help gets to those who need it— because no one should go hungry due to a broken system."
What Happens Next?
The Ohio Department of Public Safety is working to identify additional suspects in the case.
