Two Pittsburgh business owners have been charged after an investigation by Attorney General Dave Sunday's office found that they purchased electronic benefit transfer cards at a discounted rate and used them to purchase food for their businesses.

Rachna Anwar, 46, and Munir Chaudhri, 62, face multiple felony charges, including corrupt organizations and dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activity, according to a release from the Attorney General Sunday's office.

The investigation found that the pair purchased EBT cards from individuals receiving public assistance benefits, then used the cards to make more than $178,000 in purchases at Sam's Club and other retailers, authorities said. 

Chaudhri and Anwar own businesses beside each other on East Ohio Street, Lillen's Restaurant and a deli.

Court papers allege the two racked up the fraudulent charges starting in 2021. Last year, investigators were tipped off to fraud at a Sam's Club on Mount Nebo Road.

Anwar allegedly had 408 EBT purchases with 165 different accounts. Attorney General Sunday's office says the couple totaled more than 800 transactions from February 2021 to October 2025, totaling $178,289.

Retired police chief and Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Terry Seilhamer says this case is not common, but it's not new.

"Once they're in the account, the person whose name is on the account becomes the victim if the funds are stolen," Seilhamer said.

In interviews, some victims told the AG's office that Chaudhri and Anwar would buy cards for 50% of their balance. They would deplete the card balance and then wait for the holder to refill it.

"A lot of times, the victims may be down on their luck and may be addicted to drugs and or alcohol," Seilhamer said.

Court papers back that claim up, with interviews saying "drug addicts" would sell the cards to the couple. The cards were used at other food markets to supply their stores.

To get the money back would require the prosecution to do so in the court case.

"You pursue that through the criminal charges and request restitution in that amount," Seilhamer added.

KDKA-TV reached out to the stores for comment, but was told the couple was not available.

Arrangements are being made for Anwar and Chaudhri to surrender and be arraigned, the attorney general's office said.