(WNY News Now) – BUFFALO, N.Y. — A federal grand jury has indicted a Buffalo man on multiple COVID-19 relief fraud charges in connection with an alleged scheme involving more than $140,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds.
A federal grand jury has returned a 10-count indictment charging Brandon Millender, 24, of Buffalo, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and concealment money laundering.
Alleged COVID-19 PPP Loan Fraud Scheme
According to the indictment, between April 2021 and August 2025, Millender allegedly conspired with others to defraud financial institutions, loan companies, and the Small Business Administration by submitting fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loan applications and loan forgiveness requests.
Prosecutors allege the applications falsely claimed payroll and revenue information for non-existent businesses. The scheme reportedly targeted multiple financial entities, including KeyBank, Cash App, Harvest Small Business Finance LLC, and Benworth Capital Partners.
Alleged Identity Theft and Financial Concealment
Federal authorities say Millender and co-conspirators allegedly used stolen personal information—including names, Social Security numbers, and addresses—to create email accounts and financial profiles without victims’ knowledge or consent.
Investigators also allege he created bank accounts, credit card accounts, and online payment profiles to receive and conceal fraud proceeds.
Alleged Obstruction of Federal Investigation
The indictment further alleges that between June and August 2025, Millender attempted to interfere with the federal investigation by encouraging an individual to provide false or misleading statements to investigators.
Authorities also say that between April 21 and May 11, 2021, he conducted financial transactions designed to disguise the origin and ownership of illicit funds.
Federal Investigation and Prosecution
The case was announced by Michael DiGiacomo and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation division.
Federal officials noted that the indictment is part of ongoing efforts by the Department of Justice to combat pandemic-related fraud and protect taxpayer funds.
Millender was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and released under court-imposed conditions. As are all persons accused of a crime, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Leave a Reply