CUYAHOGA COUNTY, Ohio — A Brooklyn, New York retailer has been indicted following an investigation that uncovered more than $643,000 in stolen Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from Ohio recipients, according to the Ohio Investigative Unit (OIU) and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.
The indictment stems from an extensive investigation into fraudulent activity involving Ohio Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. Authorities say criminals used stolen card information obtained through card-skimming schemes to make unauthorized purchases and drain benefits from vulnerable recipients.
Investigators identified Hot Spot Convenience 2 in Brooklyn and its principal operator, 52-year-old Raed Subhi Abu Mohammad, as being responsible for nearly 3,000 fraudulent transactions involving stolen Ohio EBT card information between March 2024 and January 2025.
According to OIU, agents reviewed complaints from SNAP recipients and analyzed out-of-state EBT card usage. The investigation revealed that Mohammad allegedly obtained and used the federal Food and Nutrition Service permit number belonging to a legitimate retailer to process unauthorized transactions through Hot Spot Convenience 2.
Authorities allege the operation conducted 2,823 fraudulent transactions, stealing more than $643,000 from Ohio SNAP recipients statewide, including more than $260,000 from victims in Cuyahoga County alone.
Investigators said many victims had never traveled to New York, confirming the transactions were fraudulent. The majority of purchases occurred between midnight and 4 a.m., often involving multiple consecutive transactions designed to quickly deplete an account’s entire balance. In December 2024 alone, officials said nearly $240,000 in SNAP benefits were stolen from Ohio recipients through the scheme.
During the investigation, agents determined the proceeds were rapidly converted into cash through large withdrawals and wire transfers, a tactic authorities say was used to conceal the source of the funds.
A Cuyahoga County grand jury subsequently indicted Mohammad and Hot Spot Convenience 2 on charges including illegal use of SNAP benefits, telecommunications fraud, aggravated theft, and money laundering.
Mohammad was arrested June 4 by the New York City Police Department and is awaiting extradition to Ohio. An arraignment date will be scheduled in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court following his return to the state.
“We hope this case serves as a reminder that the Ohio Investigative Unit will pursue anyone, anywhere when they victimize our most vulnerable population,” said OIU Senior Enforcement Commander Greg Croft. “We have a duty to protect the citizens of the State of Ohio and the integrity of Ohio’s EBT program, regardless of where these bad actors operate from.”
The investigation was conducted with assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, the Food and Nutrition Service Office of Retailer Operations and Compliance, and the U.S. Secret Service.
In response to increasing EBT-related fraud, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has implemented new security measures, including automatically locking Ohio EBT cards for out-of-state transactions unless authorized by the cardholder.
State officials encourage SNAP recipients to create strong PIN numbers, change them frequently, and utilize card-locking features available through ConnectEBT to help protect their benefits from theft.
Anyone who suspects SNAP fraud or unauthorized EBT transactions is encouraged to report the activity through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services or the Ohio Investigative Unit.
