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Riverside County Investigation Leads to Convictions in $330,000 EBT Fraud Scheme
June 9, 2025
For Immediate Release
June 9, 2025
Contact:
Angela Maria Naso, Public Information Specialist
Email: [email protected]
Riverside County DPSS Investigation Leads to Convictions in $330,000 EBT Fraud Scheme
Two men sentenced to three years in state prison for exploiting California’s EBT system
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. – Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) investigations led to convictions in the theft of more than $300,000 from California’s Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system. The investigation, led by the DPSS Investigations Unit, uncovered a statewide fraud scheme that resulted in the theft of $330,000 from the system that provides financial assistance such as cash aid, food stamps, childcare, and general assistance to the state’s most vulnerable residents.
In October 2024, Nicholas James Hooper and Kenneth Acton illegally accessed the EBT system and stole $330,000. The DPSS Investigations Unit detected suspicious activity and locked the account they were using to steal the money and prevented additional theft in Riverside County.
“The Riverside County Department of Public Social Services – Investigation Division formed a specialized enforcement team to attack major cases of this nature,” said Shawn Ferris, Chief of Riverside Department of Public Social Services – Investigation Division. “The teamwork and special techniques used to investigate this crime led to a conviction in six months from the start of this investigation.”
Acton was arrested in December 2024 in Riverside County and Hooper was arrested in January 2025 in Orange County. Both men pled guilty to multiple felony charges, including grand theft, welfare fraud, identity theft, and white-collar enhancements, and were sentenced to three years in state prison.
“This investigation brought together new technologies with old school detective work. The team worked tirelessly to identify the two defendants and bring them to justice,” said Supervising Fraud Investigator Raquel Teano.
The Riverside County Department of Public Social Services is committed to protecting public resources and ensuring that fraud is investigated and prosecuted. The Investigations Unit is vigilant in their efforts to combat fraud and protect the integrity of program benefits intended for the most economically vulnerable households in Riverside County. The unit has a variety of functions specializing in investigating preventative fraud, criminal fraud, and administrative fraud. To report suspected fraud, please call (800) 344-8477.
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