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Unemployment insurance fraud cases

Federal prosecutions and settlements involving unemployment insurance, compiled from Justice Department announcements, with a state-by-state breakdown.

DOJ announcements
212
Since January 20, 2025
Sentencings
109
Pleaded guilty 64 · Charged 28
Largest amount named
$30M
alleged loss · 2025

Unemployment fraud cases by state

Where to report unemployment insurance fraud

Full steps and reward rules: how to report unemployment insurance fraud.

Latest announcements

DateAnnouncementStateStageAmount
2026-10-16Waipahu Women Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Pandemic and Tax Fraud While Earning Millions from an Unlicensed Construction BusinessHawaiiSentenced$1M
2026-10-16Two Plead Guilty to Unemployment Insurance Benefits Fraud ConspiracyCaliforniaPleaded guilty—
2026-10-15Former Postal Employee Sentenced to 20 Months in Prison for Fraud in Connection with Unemployment Insurance BenefitsMichiganSentenced—
2026-10-08Rockford Woman Pleads Guilty to Defrauding the Government of More Than $2 Million in Federal Unemployment BenefitsIllinoisPleaded guilty$2M
2026-10-05Lead Defendant in Multi-State SNAP and PUA Fraud Conspiracy Sentenced to Two Years in Federal PrisonMassachusettsSentenced$1.1M
2026-10-05Carnation, Washington, man sentenced to prison for COVID fraud scheme and attempts to steal from deceased Seattle victimWashingtonSentenced—
2026-09-24Roanoke Woman Indicted for COVID Fraud Scheme - Case Advances Fraud Division CrackdownVirginiaCharged—
2026-09-24Dunkirk woman sentenced for theft of government funds involving COVID-19 fraudNew YorkSentenced—
2026-09-24Dauphin County Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance SchemePennsylvaniaSentenced$3.2M
2026-09-10Florida woman sentenced to federal prison for conspiracy to commit mail fraudGeorgiaSentenced$455K
2026-09-10California Man Sentenced to 72 Months in Prison for Fraudulently Obtaining $46 Million In Public Benefits and Laundering Proceeds to ChinaPennsylvaniaSentenced—
2026-09-03Georgia Sisters Plead Guilty to Roles in $2M Pandemic Benefits Fraud SchemeOhioPleaded guilty—
2026-08-28Pair Plead Guilty in CARES Act FraudVirginiaPleaded guilty—
2026-08-28Nigerian National Sentenced for Laundering $3.1M in Scam ProceedsPuerto RicoSentenced—
2026-08-26Massachusetts State Representative Charged With Pandemic Loan Fraud and Money LaunderingMassachusettsCharged$700K
2026-08-20Nigerian National Pleads Guilty to Role in Cross-Country Unemployment Insurance Fraud SchemeMarylandPleaded guilty—
2026-08-11Former Department of Labor Employee Sentenced for Fraudulently Obtaining Over $40,000 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance BenefitsMassachusettsSentenced$46K
2026-08-10Former Employee of Maryland State Contractor Pleads Guilty to Unemployment Benefits Fraud ChargesMarylandPleaded guilty—
2026-08-05Nigerian Citizen and Three Other Individuals Sentenced in Connection with a $1.7 Million Money Laundering OperationNorth CarolinaSentenced$1.7M
2026-08-03Silver Spring Woman Sentenced to More Than Three Years in Federal Prison for Role in COVID Fraud SchemeMarylandSentenced$639K
2026-07-30Third Georgia State Representative Pleads Guilty to Pandemic Unemployment FraudGeorgiaPleaded guilty—
2026-07-17Des Moines Woman Sent to Federal Prison for Submitting Fraudulent Unemployment ClaimsIowaSentenced$30K
2026-07-13Ohio Woman and Two Sons Charged with Conspiracy to Defraud the IRS and Pandemic-era Programs of More Than $5MOhioCharged—
2026-07-13Dominican Nationals Sentenced in Federal Benefits Fraud CasesRhode IslandSentenced$75K
2026-07-10Dominican Republic National Pleads Guilty to Participating in $1 Million Unemployment Fraud SchemeDistrict of ColumbiaPleaded guilty$1M

Source: U.S. Department of Justice press releases, classified by WHIP Reward. Each row is one press release; the same case can appear at several stages, so amounts should not be added. Charged cases are allegations. Search all 212 in the database.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I report unemployment insurance fraud?

Your state unemployment agency: States pay and investigate unemployment claims. Department of Labor OIG hotline: Large-scale or organized unemployment fraud. America.gov/fraud (WHIP reward portal): Required route if you want a WHIP award of $10,000–$30,000.

Can I get a reward for reporting unemployment insurance fraud?

Yes. Department of Labor programs are covered by the federal WHIP program, which pays $10,000–$30,000 per tip that leads to criminal charges. Larger cases can be brought under the False Claims Act, which pays 15–30% of what the government recovers.

Sources

  1. U.S. Department of Justice: Whistleblower Rewards Program
  2. DOL OIG hotline
  3. U.S. Department of Justice press releases (justice.gov/news)