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California unemployment insurance fraud cases

Every Justice Department announcement of unemployment insurance fraud prosecuted in California since January 20, 2025.

All announcements

DateAnnouncementStageAmount
2026-10-16Two Plead Guilty to Unemployment Insurance Benefits Fraud ConspiracyPleaded guilty—
2026-06-23Sacramento Man Sentenced to 4.5 Years in Prison for Covid-Related Unemployment Insurance Fraud SchemeSentenced$575K
2026-06-17Texas Woman Sentenced to Nearly 2 Years in Federal Prison for Fraudulently Obtaining Eaton Fire FEMA Money and COVID BenefitsSentenced$83K
2026-03-12Authorities Dismantle Global Malicious Proxy Service that Deployed Malware and Defrauded Thousands of U.S. Persons, Businesses, and Financial Institutions of Millions of Dollars in LossesOther$100K
2025-09-29Texas Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Obtaining Tens of Thousands of Eaton Fire Disaster Money and COVID Jobless FundsPleaded guilty$28K
2025-09-15Sacramento Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft in Connection with Covid-Related Unemployment Insurance Fraud SchemePleaded guilty—
2025-09-09Three Indicted and Arrested for Covid-Related Unemployment Insurance Fraud SchemeCharged—
2025-09-08Former U.S. Postal Service Letter Carrier Sentenced to 5½ Years in Federal Prison for Stealing More Than $10 Million Worth of Checks from the MailSentenced$1.6M
2025-08-07Citrus Heights Couple Sentenced for $1 Million Unemployment Insurance Benefits Fraud SchemeSentenced$1.2M
2025-07-18Stanislaus County Mother-Son Duo Sentenced to Prison for Inmate Unemployment Insurance Claims ConspiracySentenced$150K
2025-07-03Inglewood Woman Arrested on Federal Indictment Alleging Scheme to Fraudulently Obtain $1.3 Million in COVID-19 Jobless BenefitsCharged$1.3M
2025-06-18Riverside County Woman Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Running $1.7 Million COVID-19 Benefits Fraud She Advertised on InstagramSentenced$1.8M
2025-04-24Citrus Heights Man Pleads Guilty to Participation in $1 Million Unemployment Insurance Benefits Fraud Scheme and to Firearm ChargePleaded guilty$1M
2025-04-244 Southern California Siblings Sentenced to Federal Prison Terms for Their Roles in $1.1 Million Unemployment Benefits Fraud SchemeSentenced—
2025-03-31Oakland Woman Who Made Multiple Fraudulent Unemployment Insurance Claims Using Stolen Identities Sentenced To 33 Months And One DaySentenced$337K
2025-03-28Former EDD Employee Sentenced to 66 Months for Mail Fraud and Bribery SchemeSentenced$858K
2025-03-065 Charged in Alleged $3.3 Million Scam to Obtain COVID Jobless Benefits for Unqualified Individuals, Including Children and InmatesCharged$3.3M
2025-02-13Sacramento Woman Pleads Guilty to Participation in Nearly $2.6 Million COVID-19 Benefit Fraud SchemePleaded guilty$2.6M

Source: U.S. Department of Justice press releases. Amounts should not be added: one case can appear at several stages. Charged cases are allegations.

Where to report unemployment insurance fraud in California

Unemployment insurance fraud is covered by the federal WHIP program: a tip that leads to criminal charges can earn $10,000–$30,000. More on reporting unemployment insurance fraud, all fraud cases and reward laws in California, and Unemployment cases in every state.

Frequently asked questions

How many Unemployment fraud cases has the DOJ announced in California?

18 announcements since January 20, 2025, or 8.5% of all Unemployment announcements in our database. Each press release is counted separately, so one case can appear at charge, plea and sentencing.

How do I report unemployment insurance fraud in California?

Employment Development Department (EDD): Help Us Fight Fraud (hotline 1-800-229-6297); Department of Labor OIG hotline; America.gov/fraud (WHIP reward portal). To be eligible for a federal WHIP award, submit the tip in writing at America.gov/fraud.

Sources

  1. U.S. Department of Justice press releases (justice.gov/news)
  2. DOL OIG hotline
  3. DOJ: National Fraud Enforcement Division Criminal Tip Rewards Pilot Program, terms and conditions (updated Oct. 20, 2026)