Lansing store owner charged with SNAP benefits fraud

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 21:32 · Archive

A Lansing convenience store operator faces federal charges for exchanging cash for food assistance benefits.

Mohinder Singh, operator of Romario's convenience store in Lansing, Michigan, has been charged by a grand jury with theft or conversion of public money and nine counts of SNAP benefits fraud. A search warrant was executed on the store on 16 October 2025 by Michigan State Police, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the IRS, with surveillance equipment removed from the building.

Authorities allege Singh unlawfully exchanged cash and ineligible items for SNAP benefits with customers. He typically provided an exchange rate of $0.50 in cash per $1 of SNAP benefits transferred. He is also accused of allowing customers to use SNAP benefits to pay debts owed to him and charging fees payable in SNAP benefits after extending credit to some customers. The government alleges Singh intended more than $1 million in loss to the federal government.

Singh is one of more than 40 defendants charged in a nationwide enforcement surge by the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, the Justice Department's National Fraud Enforcement Division, the Department of Agriculture and the USDA Office of Inspector General. The coordinated effort addressed schemes causing nearly $45 million in intended losses to the federal government, with approximately $42 million of that involving SNAP fraud. Each count of SNAP fraud carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, while the theft or conversion charge carries up to ten years.

Lansing store owner charged with SNAP benefits fraud — Image: Woodtv

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How it is being reported

Lansing party store owner charged with SNAP fraudThe operator of Romario's Party Store in Old Town Lansing is facing federal charges in connection to accusations of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program fraud.Woodtv · 21 Oct, 21:17
Feds accuse Lansing store owner of exchanging cash for SNAP benefitsMohinder Singh, operator of Romario’s convenience store in Lansing, was charged by a grand jury with theft or conversion of public money and nine counts of SNAP benefits fraud.WILX · 21 Oct, 21:02

In this story: Mohinder Singh · Romario's convenience store · Lansing · Michigan · U.S. Department of Agriculture · Department of Justice

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