Feds bust alleged California Social Security fraud ring
Central District of California U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli shared insights on the recent federal arrest of four undocumented immigrants linked to a Social Security fraud operation. He discussed the details of the alleged scheme and the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to tackle fraud and illegal immigration in a segment on ‘America Reports.’
A Brazilian undocumented immigrant has been ordered to leave the U.S. after he admitted to establishing a false branch of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and selling fake DHS and FBI identification cards. He claimed these cards would grant immunity from federal immigration enforcement. Mario Cesar Dos Santos, Jr., 50, entered the U.S. in 2016 and overstayed his visa. He was apprehended in February at Orlando International Airport after arriving from Boston.
Dos Santos pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and misuse of government seals. Additionally, he operated a fictitious organization named “Chaplain Emergency Management Agency” (CEMA) and charged individuals $400 for misleading training sessions that purportedly provided immunity from immigration enforcement.
While the training was technically free, participants paid between $400 and $450 for certificates that they believed would protect them from deportation. Each session typically attracted 30 to 45 attendees.
As part of the fraudulent operation, Dos Santos not only issued fake certificates featuring unauthorized DHS and FBI seals but also sold merchandise, including clothing and badges, adorned with official agency logos. Authorities reported that a confidential source had bought several items at one of his seminars last year.
During the investigation, it was noted that the CEMA pretended to hold accreditation from the International Association for Continuing Education and the American Council on Education. The agency’s social media accounts and a group chat with over 750 members promoted its courses and displayed a doctored DHS seal.
Now facing the possibility of 20 years in prison, Dos Santos is scheduled for sentencing on December 18.
The Trump administration has emphasized the importance of tackling fraud, waste, and abuse within government systems, leading to the formation of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. According to DHS, FEMA investigated over 2,000 fraud cases in the fiscal year 2025.
