Lake Charles, Louisiana – Two Houston men were arrested in Lake Charles on Sunday following an investigation into a sophisticated Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card fraud operation spanning multiple Louisiana cities.
Ahmad Ibrahim, 33, and Dieudonne Tamekeng, 39, both of Houston, Texas, were apprehended by Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) detectives after allegedly using stolen EBT card information to purchase 60 five-gallon containers of cooking oil at a local grocery store.
The investigation began in November 2024 when detectives were alerted to suspicious purchases made at grocery store chains across Louisiana, including Lake Charles, Lafayette, Shreveport, Denham Springs, and Kenner. Authorities determined the suspects were obtaining EBT card information through skimming devices—small electronic equipment that illegally captures data from payment cards—and transferring this stolen information onto gift cards to avoid detection.
The breakthrough in the case came on March 24, when an investigator from the Department of Child and Family Services contacted CPSO Financial Crimes detectives about a suspect attempting to use a stolen EBT card at a Lake Charles store.
Upon arrival, detectives and deputies identified Ibrahim and Tamekeng at the scene. A subsequent search warrant executed on their vehicle revealed significant evidence, including numerous receipts, reprogrammed gift cards containing stolen EBT information, a card reader, and a laptop. Authorities also discovered 24 cases of Red Bull, 10 cases of Monster Energy drinks, and a case of Coca-Cola, reportedly purchased the previous day using stolen EBT card numbers.
Both men were booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center on charges of unauthorized use of a food stamp card over $1,500 and theft from $1,000 to $5,000.
The investigation also revealed immigration issues. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was notified after authorities discovered Ibrahim was in the United States on an expired work visa. Tamekeng was identified as an asylum seeker with a pending court hearing.
CPSO Detective Edward Curol is leading the ongoing investigation, with assistance from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and the Department of Child and Family Services. Authorities believe more individuals are involved in the scheme, and additional arrests and charges are anticipated.
An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.