Document and Benefit Fraud

The ICE-led multiagency investigation uncovered approximately 70 illegal aliens using stolen Social Security numbers and identities to unlawfully obtain wages, health benefits and employment authorization, leaving more than 100 real victims to face devastating financial, emotional and legal consequences.

An investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Maryland; along with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, led to the sentencing of Douglas Anthony Eze, 55, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, for visa fraud.

The charges against Elvis Harizaj, 25, of Cherry Hill, and Natasha Flores, 27, of Newark, were announced May 28 by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey in Camden.

Leslie Kibula Bongajum, 34, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison if convicted.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in coordination with the U.S. Secret Service and other federal, state and local partners, carried out a large-scale enforcement and interdiction operation targeting high-traffic ATM locations known for rampant fraudulent electronic benefit transfer card activity May 1 and 2.

The scheme involved suspects applying for store credit cards using stolen identities and credit lines to purchase merchandise. T

An investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Maryland; along with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; Department of State Diplomatic Security Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office ​for Maryland, led to federal charges for four individuals — Ella Zuran, 65, Tatiana Sigal, 74, and Alexandra Tkach, 41, of New York City, New York; along with Shawnta Hopper, 33, of Sicklerville, New Jersey — for facilitating visa and marriage fraud.

ICE arrested Elieser Aurelio Gomez-Zelaya, 33, an illegal alien from Honduras, March 31.

According to the indictment, Juan Antonio Ruiz, 47, became a naturalized U.S. citizen in June 2015. The indictment alleges that Ruiz, during his citizenship process, falsely answered “no” to questions about any crimes he had committed but had not been arrested for.

As part of the scheme, the defendants stole the personally identifiable information of hundreds of victims — including Social Security numbers, dates of birth and home addresses — and used that information to make fake driver’s licenses to access credit in the victims’ names at large national retailers, including Ulta Beauty, Sephora, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Kohl’s, Williams-Sonoma, Dillard’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.