A Miami Gardens resident has been taken into custody after allegedly using a counterfeit Cuban marriage certificate to fraudulently collect Social Security benefits intended for a deceased individual.
The accused, identified as 62-year-old Marilyn P. Mato, is facing charges of grand theft and involvement in an organized scheme to defraud, as reported by Telemundo 51.
Authorities revealed that Mato, originally from Cuba and now a naturalized U.S. citizen, submitted the falsified marriage certificate to the U.S. Social Security Administration in an attempt to receive financial benefits.
Suspicions arose following an official document verification. The U.S. Department of State requested authentication from Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with Cuban authorities determining that the certificate did not match official records, thus deeming it fraudulent.
The report indicates that Mato allegedly received a total of $73,627 in Social Security payments from April 2022 to January 2026 using the purportedly fake document.
Mato was jailed on Thursday and appeared before a judge the next day, who set her bail at $7,500 as legal proceedings continue.
This incident highlights issues concerning the use of foreign documents in federal processes and underscores the importance of international verification systems to prevent fraud within public benefit programs in the United States.
Understanding Fraudulent Social Security Claims
What are the charges against Marilyn P. Mato?
Marilyn P. Mato faces charges of grand theft and participation in an organized scheme to defraud.
How was the fraudulent marriage certificate discovered?
The fraudulent marriage certificate was discovered when the U.S. Department of State requested verification from Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which found it did not match official records.
How much money did Mato allegedly collect using the fake document?
Mato is alleged to have collected $73,627 in Social Security payments using the fake document.