Local 7-Eleven Stores Raided—Fraud Alleged

At least three 7-Eleven franchises on the East End were a part of a nationwide federal probe into allegations that owners and/or managers were employing illegal immigrants and filing stolen Social Security numbers for them to collect paychecks.

A witness from the Dan’s Papers staff spotted the Feds at the Sag Harbor 7-Eleven on Monday, June 17 and various reports from local media confirm that locations in Greenport and Cutchogue were targeted the same day. A total of 14 7-Elevens were raided across Long Island and in Norfolk, Virginia.

In a press conference this morning, authorities announced that nine owners have been charged for their role in the fraud, which exploited immigrants from Pakistan and the Philippines. As a part of the ploy, the defendants stole Social Security numbers for their illegal employees—including those of three dead people—and took portions of their paychecks.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have issued search warrants for about 30 other 7-Eleven locations across the U.S.