PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. \u2014 A Pembroke Pines woman has been arrested by the Broward Sheriff\u2019s Office after allegedly stealing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from about 200 people, 30 of whom detectives have interviewed so far, authorities announced Monday.<\/p>\n
The suspect was identified by BSO as Tamica Brown, 43, who faces charges of criminal use of personal identification information and trafficking in counterfeit credit cards. <\/p>\n
\u201cSNAP is a federally funded program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Food and Nutrition Service,\u201d BSO spokeswoman Claudinne Caro said in a news release. \u201cEligible recipients access their funds through electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, which works similarly to a debit or credit card. Recipients access their benefits using the EBT card and a unique Personal Identification Number (PIN).\u201d<\/p>\n
According to BSO, the investigation began on July 20, 2025, when deputies in Cooper City were called to a Walmart at 4700 S. Flamingo Road where a victim reported that someone had used their EBT card without their consent.<\/p>\n
Detectives said they eventually identified about 200 victims who suffered a combined loss of more than $120,000. <\/p>\n
A single mother of three children, who was forced to go without groceries, and a 95-year-old woman were among the victims, Caro said.<\/p>\n
Caro confirmed that 30 victims have been interviewed by detectives so far.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe eight-month-long investigation revealed Brown, 43, operated an organized fraud scheme where she unlawfully obtained EBT card numbers belonging to SNAP recipients, associated PINs, and account balances from multiple sources,\u201d Caro said. \u201cEvidence indicated that these card numbers were stolen by unknown means and transmitted to Brown electronically by way of phones.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to BSO, Brown used the stolen card numbers and PINs to make unauthorized purchases, including for \u201chigh-demand\u201d energy drinks, such as Red Bull and Celsius.<\/p>\n
Investigators said she then resold the products to corner stores and convenience stores.<\/p>\n
According to Caro, the victims discovered their benefits had already been depleted when they tried to make purchases of their own with their EBT cards.<\/p>\n
Brown was arrested last Tuesday by Pembroke Pines police, who took her into custody on BSO\u2019s warrant. <\/p>\n
As of Monday afternoon, she was being held at the Paul Rein Detention Facility on a $300,000 bond.<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udfe0 News From Your Neighborhood<\/p>\n
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