New York Deli Owners INDICTED As Investigators UNCOVER $7M Stolen From Food Stamp. Money Sent Yemen

Manhattan prosecutors say a New York deli ring stole more than $7 million in SNAP food benefits from thousands of families by copying their EBT cards at store card readers and draining them the day benefits landed.

According to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, the group put skimmers on card readers to capture card numbers and PINs, made cloned cards, and ran the stolen benefits through merchant accounts set up under deli names, some of which did not exist. Prosecutors say the operation ran from April 2023 to September 2025 out of a Yonkers deli back room and hotel rooms.

Prosecutors say the money paid for luxury vehicles, and tens of thousands of dollars were sent to Yemen and other countries. Belal Hauter, 34, is described as the alleged leader. Eight people now face charges including conspiracy, grand larceny and identity theft, with bail set from $100,000 to $1 million.

Many of the families never got their benefits back. New York's EBT cards still use magnetic stripes, and chip cards are not expected until early 2027.

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