A Florida woman has been charged with a third-degree felony for allegedly using her mother's identity to get hurricane aid following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. While also telling city employees that she looked younger due to Botox, a treatment that can often be fatal . Veronica Torres, 44, received almost $8,000 in funding before she was charged by Bradenton Police Department officials for attempting to scam government officials by filing a false public assistance claim.
She was released on a $2,500 bail bond. Dexter-loving killer murdered and dismembered sex worker given life in jail Group accused of faking bear attacks on luxury cars for insurance payouts Police alleged that Torres tried to deceive government employees of "phony hurricane disaster assistance" by using her mother's name, driver's license, and social security number. In her application, she falsely claimed that Hurricanes Milton and Helene had forced her out of her home and required assistance for sustenance.
Torres almost got away with her scheme until a city employee suspected wrongdoing due to age discrepancies, police said. When Torres arrived to pick up her $7,967 check Thursday, the employee noticed her. Torres attempted to convince the employee that having undergone Botox treatments , she looked younger but she failed.
She was asked to come back the following day when Bradenton detectives interrogated her, leading to her arrest. Feds have sounded alarm over the rise in hurricane-related frauds recen.