(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…