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NewsTelemundo 51 Miami – Noticias LocalesJuly 30, 2026Miami-Dade

South Florida Convenience Store Owners Charged in $19 Million SNAP Fraud Scheme

Four men in South Florida have been charged with running a multi-year scheme to exchange federal food assistance benefits for cash. Prosecutors allege the group processed over $19 million in fraudulent transactions at convenience stores in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

fraudSNAPcrimeSouth Floridafederal prosecution
Read the full story at Telemundo 51 Miami – Noticias Locales

Why It Matters

The case involves the alleged misuse of $19 million in taxpayer-funded food assistance benefits, which were diverted from intended recipients to private profit through illegal cash-for-benefits exchanges.

Key Facts

  • Four individuals are charged with conspiracy to traffic SNAP benefits and money laundering.
  • The alleged fraud scheme totaled over $19 million in taxpayer-funded benefits.
  • The scheme operated from 2019 until May of this year.
  • The operation involved exchanging SNAP benefits for cash at a 50% rate, with store owners keeping the remainder.
  • Store owners allegedly shared SNAP point-of-sale (POS) terminals across different locations, which is prohibited by program rules.
  • Adel Amro is specifically accused of recruiting SNAP beneficiaries to participate in the cash-exchange scheme.
  • Rajaie Ahmad Ali faces a maximum potential sentence of 65 years in prison if convicted.
  • The stores involved include Brown Sugar, Kwik Stop, and Quickie Mini Market.

Who's Mentioned

personCristian Giovanni Amaro“27-year-old Miami resident and owner of Quickie Mini Market.”personBrett Skiles“FBI Special Agent in Charge in Miami.”personJason A. Reding Quiñones“Federal prosecutor for the Southern District of Florida.”personAdel Amro“23-year-old Fort Myers resident accused of recruiting SNAP beneficiaries.”organizationSNAP“Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.”personRajaie Ahmad Ali“63-year-old Miramar resident and owner of Brown Sugar store; faces up to 65 year”other65“Maximum years of prison time faced by Rajaie Ahmad Ali.”personSami Jamhour“43-year-old Hollywood resident and owner of Kwik Stop.”otherSNAP“Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.”