Colombian national in Massachusetts allegedly received more than $400,000 in stolen federal benefits

Rick Sobey, Boston Herald on May 22, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

BOSTON — A Colombian woman illegally in Massachusetts is accused of living under a stolen identity for more than 20 years and receiving more than $400,000 in stolen federal benefits.

Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, 59, also allegedly voted in the 2024 presidential election, and she obtained a Massachusetts Real ID and eight other state IDs, according to the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Orovio-Hernandez allegedly used the stolen identity to submit a fraudulent voter registration in January 2023, and cast a fraudulent ballot in last year’s presidential election.

She’s accused of improperly receiving about $400,000 in federal benefits: $259,589 in Section 8 rental assistance benefits from October 2011 through January 2025; $101,257 in Social Security disability benefits from July 2014 through January 2025; and $43,348 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits from April 2005 through January 2025.

“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,” Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said in a statement. “The right to vote is one of the many privileges of being a U.S. citizen.

“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. “Ms. Orovio-Hernandez was entitled to none of these privileges as a Colombian citizen who was unlawfully in this country. The alleged crimes are an affront to every individual who plays by the rules and undermines many of the programs meant to support the most vulnerable members of our society.”

According to court filings, Orovio-Hernandez lived under a stolen identity for more than 20 years. Using this stolen identity, Orovio-Hernandez allegedly obtained nine state IDs, including a Massachusetts Real ID and applied for a U.S. passport.

“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,” said Amy Connelly, special agent in charge of the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, Boston-New York Field Division.

“SSA OIG is committed to ensuring ineligible aliens are not receiving funds from SSA programs,” Connelly added. “For over 20 years, the defendant is alleged to have lived under a stolen identity, fraudulently collecting federal benefits, committing voter fraud, and undermining the integrity of public trust. This indictment reflects our continued commitment to uncovering long-term fraud and holding individuals accountable for exploiting the Social Security system.”

Orovio-Hernandez has been charged in a superseding indictment with one count of false representation of a Social Security number; one count of making a false statement in an application for a United States passport; one count of aggravated identity theft; three counts of receiving stolen government money or property; one count of fraudulent voter registration; and one count of fraudulent voting.

Orovio-Hernandez was previously charged in an indictment in February, and she has since remained in federal custody.