Chanette Lewis
There were many Covid-related scams in 2020, but the healthcare worker hotel scheme was one of the most devious. Chanette Lewis and her accomplices posted Facebook ads offering rooms to anyone for a set price per night or a single fee for a month’s stay.
Bookings
As Covid 19 spread throughout New York, Lewis was one of the emergency call center workers in charge of booking the rooms for healthcare workers in the city. At some point, Lewis realized that she had access to dozens of hotel rooms across all 5 boroughs, and the government would pay for each one she booked.
Facebook Ads
But Lewis and her accomplices were going for volume more than high profits. They wanted to find people in New York with little money and no place to stay. It didn’t matter whether they were healthcare workers, homeless people, or people traveling to the city.
Smart Business Model
Lewis booked her own room for 28 days to save some money for herself. The program only allowed qualifying healthcare workers to stay for 14 days. Other than paying for food and gas, the city of New York paid for her entire stay, which was extraordinarily expensive, even by big-city standards.
The Two Tatianas
Lewis approached Benjamin first. She messaged her on Facebook, explaining how the scheme worked and how much money she could make if she joined. Lewis offered to teach Benjamin “the ropes of it” and revealed that she had access to the information that the city uses to book the rooms, such as the applicant’s info.
No Reservations
In July 2020, Lewis and Benjamin were booking a room for a new guest like they’d done hundreds of times before until Lewis noticed that the city had canceled the reservation. Benjamin messaged Lewis saying, quote, “we goin to jail!” She was right.
Unemployment Fraud
As mentioned earlier, Lewis was also involved in an unemployment scam.
Local Authorities charged Lewis with fraudulently obtaining government benefits meant for people who couldn’t work.
Sentencing
Lewis could be facing a long 72 years behind bars, though it probably won’t be that high. Her accomplices, Tatiana Benjamin, Tatiana Daniel, and Heaven West, are facing around 40 years tops.