by LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA — A Sacramento County man is facing a potential decades-long prison sentence after authorities said he stole the identities of 22 Los Angeles County residents to fraudulently obtain nearly $150,000 in public benefits.
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, 37-year-old Sam Shahbazi is accused of orchestrating an elaborate scheme that exploited public assistance programs designed to help low-income families. He allegedly used stolen identities and fraudulent Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to siphon money and make unauthorized purchases across California.
How the Fraud Scheme Worked
Prosecutors said Shahbazi applied for and received more than $146,000 from the Los Angeles County Department of Social Services using stolen Social Security numbers belonging to unsuspecting county residents. The money, which came from programs intended to support vulnerable families, was allegedly accessed using counterfeit EBT cards.
Officials said Shahbazi made cash withdrawals from multiple banks, including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, and U.S. Bank, and spent the stolen benefits at Costco and Whole Foods. The fraudulent transactions occurred at various locations throughout California, pointing to what investigators described as a well-organized and methodical operation.
“Stealing public benefits is a cowardly crime against those most vulnerable,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman. “Prosecutors in our Public Assistance Fraud Division work every day to fight for victims and root out fraud. Know this: If you steal public benefits in Los Angeles County, your transactions will be traced, you will be investigated, and you will face criminal consequences.”
Arrest, Charges, and Court Proceedings
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has charged Shahbazi with 22 felony counts of grand theft and 22 counts of unauthorized use of personal identifying information.
Court documents reveal that Shahbazi pleaded not guilty to all charges during his initial court appearance on Monday. He is scheduled to return to court on November 7, where prosecutors are expected to present additional evidence related to the ongoing investigation.
Shahbazi’s bail was initially set at $2.275 million, though jail records show he is currently being held without bail at a Los Angeles County detention facility.
If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum sentence of 32 years and eight months in state prison, according to prosecutors.
Investigators Trace Transactions Across the State
Authorities said the investigation began after the Department of Social Services noticed suspicious EBT withdrawals and purchases that did not match the beneficiaries’ usual activity.
Through coordination between county investigators and financial institutions, detectives were able to trace dozens of transactions back to Shahbazi. Surveillance footage from ATMs and retail stores reportedly showed him using multiple EBT cards under different names.
Investigators believe Shahbazi used forged documents and stolen personal information obtained through illegal data-sharing networks or breaches to create the fraudulent accounts.
“This was a calculated and deliberate effort to exploit a system meant to feed and support struggling families,” said Deputy District Attorney Angela McCoy, who is leading the prosecution. “Every dollar he stole represents a meal or service denied to someone who truly needed it.”
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Broader Issue of EBT and Identity Theft
California has seen a sharp rise in EBT-related theft in recent years. According to the California Department of Social Services, fraudsters have stolen tens of millions of dollars from CalFresh and CalWORKs recipients through cloning devices, phishing, and stolen data.
In response, the state has begun rolling out chip-enabled EBT cards to help prevent future theft. Law enforcement agencies have also increased cooperation between counties to identify cross-jurisdictional fraud schemes similar to the one Shahbazi allegedly ran.
Experts say these crimes are particularly damaging because they target low-income residents and erode trust in public aid programs.
“Fraud like this doesn’t just cost money—it undermines public confidence and delays help for those who desperately need it,” said Dr. Rachel Lee, a criminal justice researcher at California State University, Los Angeles.
What Happens Next
Prosecutors are expected to call multiple witnesses during the upcoming hearing, including bank representatives and data analysts who tracked Shahbazi’s financial activity.
Officials have not ruled out the possibility of additional suspects, as investigators continue examining whether Shahbazi worked alone or was part of a larger organized fraud ring operating across California.
The District Attorney’s Office has urged anyone who believes their personal information may have been stolen or used without consent to report the incident through the Los Angeles County Fraud Hotline or the California Department of Social Services website.
Join the Discussion
Do you think California should introduce stricter ID verification systems to prevent EBT and benefits fraud — or would that make it harder for genuine recipients to get help? Share your views in the comments on race-day-live.com.
