January 6, 2025, press release from the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Ohio Investigative Unit: CLEVELAND, OHIO — The Ohio Investigative Unit (OIU) and Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office have announced the indictment of Hafedh Al-Gahim, 52, of Brooklyn, New York, and his company Buffalo Discount Corp. Al-Gahim and his company are accused of defrauding more than $125,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from Ohio recipients.
SNAP benefits in Ohio are issued to recipients through the Ohio EBT Card. Recently, OIU, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and local law enforcement agencies, has received numerous reports of stolen benefits, often due to “skimmers” that capture card numbers and PINs from point-of-sale terminals. This stolen information is then used in fraudulent transactions, typically depleting the entire balance.
In June 2023, OIU agents were alerted to suspected fraudulent transactions at a Brooklyn, NY bodega. Over a five-week period, more than 370 fraudulent transactions were identified involving Ohio SNAP recipients. Agents determined that all of the transactions were fraudulent, with Ohio EBT card details being used every 30 to 45 seconds at the Brooklyn terminal, often for transactions as high as $800 each. Further investigation revealed that Al-Gahim and Buffalo Discount Corp. were responsible for the scheme. Agents allege Al-Gahim personally benefitted by withdrawing large sums of cash and using the proceeds for personal expenses, dining, and leisure activities.
As a result of the investigation, a Cuyahoga County Grand Jury indicted Al-Gahim and Buffalo Discount Corp. on charges of Theft (a fourth-degree felony), Illegal Use of EBT (a third-degree felony) Money Laundering (a third-degree felony), and Telecommunications Fraud (a third-degree felony).
“I applaud the hard work of the Ohio Investigative Unit in their investigation of Hafedh Al-Gahim – which led to this indictment,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley. “Our office will hold him accountable, and I urge anyone to report suspicious transactions to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.”
In response to growing fraud concerns, EBT recipients are reminded to take precautions to protect their benefits. Keep your EBT card safe, never share your card number or PIN over the phone or via text, and report any suspicious transactions immediately to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services at https://jfs.ohio.gov/help-center/report-fraud.
