California Man Continues Collecting Late Mother’s Benefits for Over Three Decades Following Her Demise

In a case believed to be the longest running and largest fraud of its kind in this district, a man from Poway, California, pleaded guilty to fraudulently collecting his deceased mother’s benefits for 32 years. Donald Felix Zampach admitted to money laundering and social security fraud in a federal court in San Diego. According to the Los Angeles Times, the 65-year-old has agreed to pay fines and restitution totaling over $830,000, which corresponds to the amount of government benefits he unlawfully obtained after his mother’s death in 1990. At the time, she had returned to her birthplace, Japan, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Despite informing the US Embassy in Japan about her passing, Zampach intentionally omitted her social security number in the hope of continuing to receive her benefits.

Zampach not only continued to receive his mother’s benefits, but he also obtained money by filing tax returns and opening credit card accounts in her name. The US Attorney’s Office describes his actions as an elaborate fraud that lasted over three decades, involving false income tax returns, impersonation, and forged signatures. As part of his restitution, Zampach will forfeit his home, which he had fully paid for with the stolen benefits. He could face a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on September 20, according to USA Today. (Read more California stories.)