Seattle Grocery Store Denies SNAP Fraud Allegations After Influencer Accusations

A family-run grocery store in Seattle is defending itself against accusations of SNAP fraud leveled by conservative influencer Nick Shirley, whose online claims led to a barrage of harassing calls and messages directed at the business and its staff. Lam's Seafood Asian Market asserts its innocence and has presented evidence to counter Shirley's allegations.

Shirley, known for exposing alleged fraud in state-funded programs and childcare centers, posted a video on Wednesday accusing Lam's of SNAP fraud. In the video, Shirley claims to demonstrate an illegal method of exchanging Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards for cash. He and a partner approached a woman who offered $60 for a card with $120 in SNAP benefits. The woman then led them to Lam's, where Shirley alleged a can of Spam and a sushi item were priced at $120.

However, the store's operations manager, Teizi Mersai, countered these claims in an Instagram video posted Saturday. Mersai pointed to the register screen shown in Shirley's video, stating that the charge was for a case of 24 cans of luncheon meat, not a single can of Spam. He also identified the second item as spring rolls, not sushi. Mersai, who translated the woman's request in Vietnamese, said she asked for one case of the processed meat.

"That wasn’t a $120 can of SPAM. Let’s keep the SPAM in the can—and the facts straight," Mersai stated in the store's video caption. He emphasized that Lam's has never participated in EBT trafficking or fraud.

Mersai further explained that customers can request a case of an item, which is retrieved from a separate warehouse. He showed that the cashier had only bagged the spring rolls and was holding the can of luncheon meat because she was waiting for the case to arrive. The transaction was ultimately not completed when Shirley entered an incorrect PIN for the EBT card.

Lam's had initially considered ignoring Shirley's video but felt compelled to respond due to the overwhelming harassment the store endured. "It's been hellish," Mersai told The Seattle Times, reporting angry calls every 15 minutes and abuse from strangers and customers alike.

Shirley had called on the FBI and the White House Fraud Task Force to investigate what he called a "fraud ring," asserting that "food stamps have become the new ATM for fraudsters as they partner with local businesses to commit the fraud."

Mersai stated that Lam's has attempted to contact Shirley multiple times to clarify the situation and correct the allegations but has not received a response. As of Sunday, Shirley had not publicly addressed the grocery store's rebuttal.