Mavious Redmond, 54, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for social security fraud on 21/8 by a Minnesota court.

"Redmond's scheme was brazen. This isn't free money; it's taxpayer money from the working people of Minnesota," the prosecutor said.

According to the indictment, Redmond's fraud began in January 1999, after her mother's death, and continued until June 2024. For 25 years, she used her mother's identity, including her social security number and identification card, on official forms.

She is also accused of forging her deceased mother's signature and impersonating her during visits to the Social Security Administration office.

Social security fraud is a problem that cost the US 71 million USD in 2024. *Image: Stock*

In addition to the social security benefits, the prosecutor stated that during the Covid-19 pandemic, Redmond used her mother's identity to receive 3,200 USD in state benefits for senior citizens. The total amount she allegedly defrauded is over 360,000 USD.

Redmond's lawyer argued that his client, an only child, was accustomed to being cared for by her mother her entire life. After her mother's death, Redmond, then 29, was alone and without support. She worked full-time at a fast-food restaurant for 8 USD an hour and relied on food banks. Her lawyer described her circumstances as "desperate."

Despite being released on bail after being charged, Redmond is now living in a homeless shelter and actively seeking employment after being fired from her job.

In sentencing Redmond, the judge described such fraud as part of a widespread social security fraud crisis in the state. "Too many people see social security as a piggy bank to raid. We will not stand for it and will continue to prosecute until every fraudster in Minnesota understands that stealing from the public comes at a price," the judge stated firmly.

In 2024, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported receiving over 33,000 reports of impersonation scams related to social security, resulting in losses of approximately 71 million USD.

Concealing the death of a relative to commit benefit fraud previously shocked France when police discovered a case where a daughter hid her mother's body in a freezer for 10 years to continue collecting her pension of over 2,000 USD per month.

Hai Thu (*USA Today, CongressGOV*)