Dilworth man accused of trying to defraud the Department of Veterans Affairs

BEMIDJI, Minn. – A Dilworth man is accused of trying to defraud the Department of Veterans Affairs. U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger says between 2015-2020, 37-year old Mikhail Robin Wicker obtained benefits by fraudulently claiming to be a decorated Marine Corp Veteran, and falsely claiming that he suffered from combat-related injuries that qualified him for disability and other financial benefits.

According to court documents, Wicker falsely claimed that he served in the Marine Corps and that he had been a prisoner of war during deployment to Iraq in 2005. He also claimed that he suffered from PTSD and other injuries from an improvised explosive device attack. Prosecutors say Wicker submitted forged and falsified documents. He also claimed to be a Purple Heart recipient. They say Wicker never served in the military and he received more than $100,000 in veterans’ benefits which he was not entitled to.

Wicker is charged with wire fraud, false military discharge certificate, fraudulent use of military medals, and theft of government funds. He made his initial court appearance on Wednesday. 

The case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, the Social Security Administration, and Office of the Inspector General.