Illegal Alien Indicted for COVID-Relief Fraud

Summary

This is a press release from the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, reporting that Arvaro Montero Diaz, 40, described as a Dominican national unlawfully residing in Lowell, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly using a stolen identity to fraudulently obtain pandemic relief funds and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The indictment is on two counts of wire fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft, one count of theft of government money and one count of SNAP fraud. The release alleges that the identity of a U.S. citizen was used to receive approximately $30,000 in unemployment benefits and approximately $14,000 in SNAP benefits. It says Montero Diaz was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on March 9, 2026.

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Press Releases

Illegal Alien Indicted for COVID-Relief Fraud and Federal Assistance Benefit Fraud

June 1, 2025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General

Defendant allegedly used stolen identity to receive approximately $30,000 in unemployment benefits and approximately $14,000 in SNAP benefits

BOSTON – A Dominican national unlawfully residing in Lowell has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly using a stolen identity to fraudulently obtain pandemic relief funds and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, previously known as food stamps.

Arvaro Montero Diaz, 40, was indicted on two counts of wire fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft, one count of theft of government money and one count of SNAP fraud. Montero Diaz was previously arrested and charged by criminal complaint on March 9, 2026. He was subsequently released on pretrial conditions following a detention hearing on March 12, 2026. Montero Diaz will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
According to the indictment, Montero Diaz – a citizen of the Dominican Republic who has been unlawfully residing in the United States since approximately 2007 – used the identity of a U.S. citizen to apply for and receive approximately $30,000 in unemployment benefits made available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. It is further alleged that Montero Diaz also used this identity to apply for and receive approximately $14,000 in SNAP benefits.

The charges of wire fraud and SNAP fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of theft of government money provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges for aggravated identity theft provide for a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison, one of
supervised released and a fine of up to $250,00. Sentences are imposed by a federal
district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which
govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge of the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region; Anthony
P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and
Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in
New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the
Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney John
Potapchuk of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

On March 26, 2026 , United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the
Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the
rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts. The Team is led by two senior
federal prosecutors serving as Fraud Coordinators, whose mission it is to aggressively
investigate and prosecute misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits in Massachusetts.

Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in
Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).

On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National
Fraud Enforcement Division . The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those
who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat
fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government
effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within
Federal benefit programs.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is
presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in
 the court of law.

Source: DOJ Press Release .

For Media Inquiries:

LaborOIGinfo@oig.dol.gov

(202) 693-7100

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X: @DOLOIG

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