PHILADELPHIA — A Pennsylvania inmate is facing federal charges after allegedly orchestrating a pandemic-related unemployment fraud scheme worth over $200,000 — all from behind bars.
Authorities say Alexander Daravina, 33 at the time, exploited the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program between July and September 2020, just months after COVID-19 disrupted the global economy and job market.
According to an indictment unsealed this week, Daravina—while incarcerated at State Correctional Institution Phoenix in Montgomery County—teamed up with Moses Benabe, who was romantically involved with a relative of Daravina’s girlfriend.
Prosecutors allege Daravina collected personal information, including names, birthdates, and Social Security numbers of fellow inmates and others. He passed that data to Benabe, who submitted fraudulent PUA applications and arranged for debit cards loaded with government funds to be sent to addresses linked to the conspiracy.
Many of the debit cards reportedly carried more than $11,000 each, despite being issued to people known to be ineligible for benefits, such as incarcerated individuals.
The total fraud amounted to more than $200,000, federal prosecutors said.
Daravina and Benabe are now charged with conspiracy, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, they face lengthy prison terms, including a mandatory minimum of two years.
Their attorneys have not yet commented publicly on the charges.
The case adds to growing concerns over pandemic-related fraud. A 2023 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office estimated that up to 15% of all unemployment payments during the pandemic were fraudulent, totaling more than $100 billion.
Federal and state authorities continue efforts to recover stolen funds and prosecute those responsible.
