fraud

Davie Gas Station Raided for Alleged Food Stamp Fraud

A gas station worker in Davie was arrested for food stamp fraud after a store was raided Thursday.

Davie Police served a search warrant at the Food Mart America store at the Sunoco gas station at 4201 Davie Road. They arrested 37-year-old store operator Mohamed Yusuf Belim.

Davie Police Capt. Dale Engle said his department received tips from residents about a year ago that the operator of the store was giving cash for EBT cards, known as electronic benefits transfers or food stamps.

"He'd give you about 50 percent of the value you have on your card in cash, and then he takes that card and makes purchases elsewhere, essentially doubling his money," Engle said.

Police said they found synthetic marijuana during the raid, and detectives made a number of controlled buys from the store. Belim faces charges of fraudulent electronic benefits transfers as well as suspicion of the sale of a controlled substance.

Engle said they are working to determine how else the money in the scheme was used.

"It's a concern, not only the fact that they're stealing government money and selling illegal drugs, but where's that money going from here?" Engle said.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have been a victim of fraud to call Davie Police. Anyone with information is urged to contact Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS (8477).

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