Woman interviewed about SNAP benefit theft.
Share this @internewscast.com

THOUSANDS in SNAP benefits were yanked from recipients after devices claimed months of food stamps.

Justice is almost here for hundreds of Ohio residents after three people were indicted on allegations of using credit card killers.

Woman interviewed about SNAP benefit theft.
Ohio residents say they’ve had thousands of SNAP benefits stolen from them in an elaborate schemeCredit: NBC4
Safeway self-checkout keypad with a duplicate keypad.
Three suspects were indicted in the fraud and allegedly used skimmers to steal card informationCredit: NBC4 Washington

The suspects allegedly stole more than $600,000 from SNAP recipients, and there may be more victims in other states.

“It was embarrassing, disappointing, I did not understand what was going on at first,” SNAP recipient Shadawna Collier told NBC affiliate WCMH-TV.

Nearly a year ago, social worker Lakisa Dukes became aware of a fraudulent operation and alerted the Ohio Investigative Unit to investigate the deployment of card skimmers.

“I love it,” Dukes told the outlet.

“I love it because I felt like so many people had been affected by this and no one was listening.”

Dukes said she heard from several clients who were victims of the fraud.

“This is literally families who, that is all they have for food,” she said.

Last year, nearly 27,000 people reported that their SNAP benefits were gone, totaling $14 million in taxpayer money, reported WCMH-TV.

Collier called the suspects’ arrests “relieving.”

“I know a lot of people rely on the food stamps,” she said.

Debit card warning after $500 vanishes from woman’s bank account within minutes – why credit is safer at checkout

“The individuals involved in this case are targeting some of the nation’s most financially vulnerable individuals by exploiting SNAP benefits nationwide,” stated Sam Love, the Agent in Charge of the Ohio Investigative Unit.

Investigators were able to track the suspects across the US.

Dozens of fraudulent cards filled with stolen funds were found, said Love.

“They’re very transient, they travel all over,” he added.

What is a skimmer device?

A skimmer device is a fraud tool designed to steal sensitive information from credit or debit cards during transactions.

  • Imagine a skimmer device as a sneaky thief that hides on ATMs or card machines.
  • Its job is to secretly steal your credit or debit card information when you use it for a transaction.
  • These devices are like tiny spies that can copy your card details, including the card number and PIN, without you even realizing it.
  • Skimmers can be cleverly disguised to look just like the regular card reader, making them hard to spot.
  • Once they have your information, bad guys can use it to make fake cards or buy things without your permission, causing a lot of trouble and stress.
  • It’s important to always be cautious and check for anything unusual on card machines before using them to protect yourself from these sneaky devices.

“They went all over the country.”

As detailed in an Ohio Investigative Unit press release, a search conducted on the suspects’ vehicle uncovered over $62,600 in cash, numerous gold coins, assorted pieces of gold jewelry, four cell phones, suspected cloned credit cards, and various records.

During the arrest, investigators allegedly found machines used to copy stolen card information and skimmers.

“The ones they are putting on now are pretty small,” said Love.

“They can slip right onto the terminal, and it takes a good bit of effort for us to pull them off.”

Ohio isn’t alone in these thefts, as most states use SNAP cards that swipe, making them easy targets.

Adding a chip feature to the cards could stop about 85% of thefts, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

“We know there’s more going on,” said Love.

“So the work continues, but it’s just, you know, on to the next case.”

A hand inserting a credit card reader testing device into a payment terminal.
Over half a million was stolen in Ohio alone, with the scheme taking place in other statesCredit: AP
Image of a credit card reader; one example shows a suspicious device with an added skimmer, the other shows a safe device.
Skimmers can be hard to detect with the naked eyeCredit: Montville Police Department
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Law enforcement and emergency responders at a park following reports of an ambush shooting.

Eerie Identification of Idaho Suspect Amidst Mysterious Firefighter Ambush and Murders

AUTHORITY figures have disclosed the method they used to track down the…
Update: Horrifying Details Emerge About Alleged Capital Jewish Museum Shooter and His Victims

Coeur d’Alene Suspect Revealed, Was ‘Without Apparent Criminal Background’ According to County Sheriff

Additional information is coming to light regarding the individual who allegedly lured…
Diddy trial: Jury returns to deliberate for a second day at Sean Combs' sex trafficking case

Jury Deliberations Continue for Second Day in Sean Combs’ Sex Trafficking Trial

NEW YORK — A jury returns to deliberate for a second day…
Emergency personnel near a casualty on a stretcher after a chemical factory explosion.

Tragic Explosion in India: Drug Factory’s Chemical Reactor Blast Leaves 39 Dead, Building Destroyed

AT LEAST 39 people have died after a chemical reactor exploded inside…
Barry Morphew extradited to Colorado to face murder charges in wife's 2020 disappearance

Barry Morphew Returned to Colorado to Stand Trial for Murder Charges in Connection with Wife’s Disappearance in 2020

Barry Morphew has been transported from Arizona back to Colorado following his…
HHS Finds Harvard in Violation of Title IX Over Antisemitism on Campus

Harvard Found in Title IX Violation Over Campus Antisemitism by HHS Investigation

If there aren’t some long faces around Harvard Yard this morning, there…
Please make sure the 'big bill' doesn't let Big Tech destroy US

Ensure Major Legislation Prevents Big Tech from Harming the U.S.

We’re not entirely sure that Senator Marsha Blackburn’s notable intervention will be…
FHP: Man killed in crash on Buckman Bridge, southbound traffic closed

Florida Highway Patrol: Fatal accident on Buckman Bridge causes closure of southbound lanes

The Florida Highway Patrol stated that the cause remains under investigation, but…
Exterior of a cluttered shed where two children lived.

Siblings, Aged 9 and 6, Discovered Living Off-Grid in Farm: Limited Communication Skills and Use of Diapers

A BROTHER and sister have been discovered by horrified cops living off-grid…
Bryan Kohberger judge could slap contempt charges on leakers: Idaho-based lawyer

Bryan Kohberger Reaches Plea Agreement in Idaho Student Murders Case

Idaho student murders suspect Bryan Kohberger has accepted a plea deal to…
'Lawn guy' accused of throwing party at former client's home while they were on vacation: 'Epic failures'

“‘Lawn Maintenance Worker’ Allegedly Hosts Unauthorized Party at Vacant Client’s Residence: A Series of Missteps”

A North Carolina landscaper found himself in the weeds after allegedly throwing…
Trump's tax and spending bill nears passage as JD Vance arrives at Senate

Trump’s Tax and Spending Bill Approaches Approval with JD Vance Joining the Senate

Another day, another fight for Republicans trying to pass Trump’s tax bill…