Dominican man accused of $133,000 unemployment benefits fraud in Puerto Rico
Juan Ignacio de la Cruz-David is being sought by federal authorities for collecting unemployment benefits using false Social Security numbers during the pandemic.
Dominican fugitive on US Department of Labour "Most Wanted" list
According to diariolibre.com, the inspector general of the US Department of Labour, Anthony D'Esposito, released his "Most Wanted" list on Thursday, which includes Juan Ignacio de la Cruz-David, a Dominican-born citizen accused of fraud exceeding $133,000 against Puerto Rico's state employment agency.
According to the file released by the Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), De la Cruz-David allegedly used false Social Security numbers to collect multiple unemployment benefit cheques during the COVID-19 pandemic, funds to which he was not entitled.
The federal prosecution office for the District of Puerto Rico formally charged him in 2022 with the crimes of theft of government funds and mail fraud. His whereabouts remain unknown to date, and authorities consider him a fugitive.
The official file indicates that De la Cruz-David was born on 31 July 1978, is approximately 1.78 metres tall and weighs around 86 kilogrammes, with brown eyes.
The investigation is part of widespread fraud against unemployment assistance programmes made available during the COVID-19 health emergency, a period in which millions of people received financial aid after losing their jobs or seeing their income reduced.
The list published by D'Esposito includes a total of 16 people accused of their alleged involvement in various federal crimes.
Anyone with information about De la Cruz-David's whereabouts can contact the Office of Inspector General at 1-800-347-3756.
Source: Google News DO — Crime