State investigators uncovered more than $10.6 million in public benefit fraud in the second half of fiscal year 2026, according to a new report from Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s office.
The office’s Bureau of Special Investigations looked into 2,223 cases across the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2026, detecting overpayments in 402 cases with identified fraud, the report released Wednesday found. Investigators identified more than $6 million in MassHealth fraud and about $3.9 million in SNAP fraud.
There was also about $538,330 in fraud tied to the Personal Care Attendant program; $130,480 within the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children program; and $38,460 within the Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children program.
“These important programs are meant for the people who need them — not for those looking to game the system,” DiZoglio said. “When someone…
Investment fraud targets the human desire for financial growth by promising high returns with “low to no risk.”
- Ponzi Schemes: Named after Charles Ponzi, these schemes pay “returns” to earlier investors using the capital brought in by newer investors. There is no actual underlying business; the system collapses when new recruitment slows down.
- Pyramid Schemes: Similar to Ponzi schemes, but participants are usually required to sell a product or service. The primary “profit” comes from the recruitment fees of new members rather than actual product sales.
- Pump and Dump: Fraudsters spread false, positive rumors about a cheap stock (the “pump”) to drive up the price. Once the price peaks, they sell their shares (the “dump”), leaving other investors with worthless stock.