Man arrested for Social Security fraud

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - 44-year-old Marcos Lopez sits in the Marion County Jail after he admitted he used a stranger's Social Security card number to gain employment.

“Nothing is free here. You have to pay for everything," said Lopez. “You don’t have money, how are you going to stay in United States?”

Lopez admits he purchased the government issued number in 1997 in Chicago for $200. He later used that number for more than a decade to gain employment in the Indianapolis area at several restaurants.

“I need it to work,” said the 44-year-old.

An alert mother discovered her son’s number was being used illegally. She traced the number to Lopez who was using the security number at Chumley’s in Broad Ripple.

She called police and investigators found Lopez working at the restaurant. He admitted to police his guilt and was arrested on the spot. 

The victim’s mother believes Lopez racked up $40,000 in debt. The native from Mexico denies he used the number for anything besides employment.

“I say I’m sorry,” said Lopez.

Lopez believes once he sees a judge he will be deported back to Mexico.

The 44-year-old is currently charged with four counts of forgery, a Class C felony, four counts of identity theft, a Class D felony, and two counts of perjury, a Class D felony.