A boomerang a curved flat piece of wood designed to return to the thrower was once used as a weapon to hunt down dinner or to attack an approaching enemy. A man, who could be described as a human boomerang, had previously been sent away from the U.S. for entering the country illegally, but came back again and set up residence in Massachusetts. While living in the state illegally, he assumed an American citizen’s identity in order to illegally obtain more than $100,000 in Social Security benefits.
The man at the center of today’s case was born in the Dominican Republic. He entered the United States the first time as a stowaway and was apprehended by authorities. (He voluntarily left the country, but illegally returned once again, 14 years later.)
The second time, he allegedly obtained a Social Security card and a state ID and began using the name and Social Security number of an American citizen. One year later, he applied for Social Security disability benefits under the American citizen’s identity. (He collected more than $100,000 in disability benefits.)
The 48-year-old Dominican man has been charged with falsely representing a Social Security number, which can carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison. A separate charge of theft of public money could carry a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison. He may also receive a fine of up to $250,000.
This human boomerang gets credit for being tenacious about returning to the country. However, he may have not considered the principle that what comes around goes around.
Source: Today’s ”Fraud of the Day” is based on an article entitled, ”Dominican Man Residing in Massachusetts Charged with SSN Misuse, Social Security Fraud,” published by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General January 20, 2017.
BOSTON A Dominican man living in Springfield was charged and arrested today for using an American citizen’s identity to obtain over $100,000 in Social Security benefits.
Bartolo Ramirez, 48, was charged with falsely representing a Social Security number and theft of public money. He is detained pending a detention and probable cause hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017.
