A Colombian woman’s two-decade fraud scheme came crashing down this week, leaving taxpayers outraged over yet another case of identity theft and benefit fraud in America’s broken immigration system.
Federal authorities dropped a bombshell Thursday when they announced multiple criminal charges against 59-year-old Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, who allegedly lived in the United States illegally for over 20 years while stealing an American’s identity.
Twenty-year identity theft scheme exposed
But the Colombian national didn’t just steal someone’s identity – she took her scheme to the ballot box during the 2024 presidential election and walked away with more than $400,000 in taxpayer benefits meant for struggling Americans.
Orovio-Hernandez now faces six federal charges including false representation of a Social Security number, making a false statement on a passport application, aggravated identity theft, receipt of stolen government funds, fraudulent voter registration, and unlawful voting.
The scheme unraveled when investigators caught Orovio-Hernandez wearing an “I Voted” sticker at a bank on November 5, 2024 – Election Day – confirming what many Americans have feared about non-citizens participating in our elections.
“For more than 20 years, this defendant is alleged to have built an entire life on the foundation of a stolen identity—including illegally voting in our presidential election and collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars in government benefits intended for Americans in need,” said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley in a statement.
While some on the Left insist voter fraud by non-citizens is rare, this case exposes just how easily someone living illegally in the country can register to vote with a stolen identity.
Taxpayers footed the bill for $404,194 in benefits
According to prosecutors, Orovio-Hernandez used the stolen identity to register as a voter in January 2023, well ahead of the 2024 presidential election. She also reportedly used the false identity to secure government-issued identification, including eight different state ID cards and a REAL ID – so much for that being anything but a means for government to collect massive windfalls in new license fees.
The scope of the fraud goes far beyond just voting. The Justice Department detailed how Orovio-Hernandez systematically drained resources from programs meant for Americans in need:
- $259,589 in Section 8 housing assistance (2011-January 2025)
- $101,257 in Social Security disability benefits (2014-January 2025)
- $43,348 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds (2005-January 2025)
That’s a staggering $404,194 in taxpayer money that could have helped American citizens truly in need.
“Government-funded programs for those in need are intended to be safety nets for those living in our country lawfully—not support an illegal alien without a right to be here,” Foley added in her statement.
Amy Connelly, special agent in charge of the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General for the Boston-New York division, emphasized the severity of the identity theft scheme.
“Stealing someone’s identity to unlawfully obtain Social Security benefits is not just theft—it’s a long-term abuse of a system meant to support those truly in need,” Connelly stated.
The case raises serious questions about the security of both our election system and benefit programs. If one person could maintain this fraud for over two decades, how many others might be doing the same?
Orovio-Hernandez has been in federal custody since February after applying for a U.S. passport by falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen born in Puerto Rico. That move appears to have finally triggered the investigation that exposed her entire scheme.
The Justice Department has not yet revealed whose identity was stolen or the impact this two-decade fraud had on the actual American citizen.
This case comes as the Biden-Harris administration faced criticism for lax border policies and as President Trump has renewed focus on securing the border and protecting the integrity of federal benefits programs and elections.
Orovio-Hernandez remains in federal custody as the case proceeds through the courts.
