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Pennsylvania unemployment insurance fraud cases

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

All announcements

DateAnnouncementStageAmount
2026-09-24Dauphin County Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance SchemeSentenced$3.2M
2026-09-10California Man Sentenced to 72 Months in Prison for Fraudulently Obtaining $46 Million In Public Benefits and Laundering Proceeds to ChinaSentenced—
2026-05-14California Man Sentenced to 120 Months In Prison For Fraudulently Obtaining $46 Million In Public Benefits And Laundering Proceeds To ChinaSentenced—
2026-05-01California Man Sentenced to 144 Months In Prison For Fraudulently Obtaining $59 Million In Public Benefits And Laundering Proceeds To ChinaSentenced—
2026-02-26Lehigh Valley Man Pleads Guilty to Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Fraud and Defrauding Local Car DealershipsPleaded guilty—
2025-12-19Chester Woman Sentenced For Filing Fraudulent Claims In Pandemic Fraud SchemeSentenced$60K
2025-11-21New York Siblings Charged with Conspiracy, Money Laundering, Mail Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Aggravated Identity TheftCharged$400K
2025-11-18Third Defendant Pleads Guilty For Fraudulently Obtaining Millions In Public Benefits And Laundering Proceeds To ChinaPleaded guilty—
2025-09-16Two Pennsylvania Men Charged With Defrauding Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program of Nearly $220,000Charged$219K
2025-08-01Nanticoke Man Charged With Pandemic Fraud OffensesCharged$40K
2025-05-20Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Money Laundering SchemesPleaded guilty—
2025-04-03New York Man Sentenced to More Than Two Years in Prison for Money Laundering Connected to Stolen Federal FundsSentenced—
2025-03-19Nigerian National Charged with Theft of Pandemic Unemployment BenefitsCharged$41K
2025-03-03Scranton Man Sentenced To 41 Months' Imprisonment For Wire FraudSentenced$1.6M
2025-01-29One Defendant Pleads Guilty And Two Others Charged With Fraudulently Obtaining $59 Million In Public Benefits And Laundering Proceeds To ChinaPleaded guilty—

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 Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania, and Unemployment cases in every state.

Frequently asked questions

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

15 announcements since January 20, 2025, or 7.1% 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 Pennsylvania?

PA Department of Labor & Industry – File a Fraud Report (unemployment fraud; 1-800-692-7469); 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)