Tamica Brown, a 43-year-old resident of Pembroke Pines in Broward County, was taken into custody on April 7. She faces charges for allegedly stealing over $120,000 in SNAP nutritional assistance benefits from around 200 individuals over an eight-month period. This case is considered one of the largest EBT card frauds recently documented in South Florida.
The investigation was sparked on July 20, 2025, when a victim reported unauthorized transactions on their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card at the Walmart situated at 4700 S. Flamingo Road in Cooper City.
Following this report, the Broward County Sheriff's Office (BSO) in Cooper City embarked on an extensive eight-month investigation. This effort led to the identification of nearly 200 victims with combined losses exceeding $120,000. However, some local media have suggested that the losses could be as high as $300,000.
Authorities revealed that Brown orchestrated a systematic fraud operation. She illicitly obtained EBT card numbers, PINs, and account balances of SNAP beneficiaries from various sources.
The stolen data was electronically sent to Brown via phones by at least two accomplices, who remain at large, according to prosecutors.
With this information, Brown made unauthorized purchases of high-demand items such as energy drinks like Red Bull, Celsius, and Monster, as well as sports drinks like Gatorade and sodas.
The goods bought with the stolen benefits were then resold to corner stores and convenience shops, allowing her to convert government funds into cash.
Victims often discovered the fraud in the most unfortunate way: when attempting to pay for groceries only to find their cards declined because the funds had been depleted, according to an official BSO statement.
This type of fraud disproportionately impacts Hispanic communities and the most vulnerable sectors of the population.
Among those affected were some of the most vulnerable residents of South Florida, including a single mother of three who found herself without money for food, and Angela Liriano, a 95-year-old woman who lost access to her nutritional benefits.
Liriano recounted that she discovered the fraud when her card was rejected at the supermarket, and that it took her about a month to recover her benefits, involving paperwork and multiple phone calls.
On a national scale, the federal government has replaced $323 million in stolen SNAP benefits in recent years, underscoring the widespread nature of this issue across the country.
Understanding EBT Card Fraud in Florida
How was Tamica Brown able to access EBT card information?
Tamica Brown reportedly accessed EBT card information through a fraud scheme involving at least two accomplices who transmitted the data electronically to her via phones.
What types of items did Brown purchase with stolen benefits?
Brown used the stolen information to buy high-demand products like energy drinks such as Red Bull, Celsius, and Monster, along with sports drinks like Gatorade and sodas.
What impact did this fraud have on the victims?
Victims were left without access to their benefits, often discovering the fraud when their EBT cards were declined at checkout, impacting their ability to purchase food.