The Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the USDA Office of Inspector General today announced a nationwide series of enforcement actions targeting fraud involving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and related USDA programs.

Between Sept. 1, and today, the Fraud Division, 13 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, and the Utah Attorney General’s Office conducted the Department’s first National USDA Benefits and Program Fraud Enforcement Surge. This coordinated effort resulted in actions against more than 40 defendants whose alleged or proven schemes caused nearly $45 million in intended losses to the federal government. Nearly $42 million of that amount involved fraud against SNAP benefits, which provide monthly food assistance to low-income individuals and families. Another case involved attempted fraud against a USDA crop‑insurance program designed to help farmers recover from covered losses.

“These schemes siphoned millions from taxpayers and robbed struggling Americans of the benefits they depend on so fraudsters could use them for their own selfish purposes,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Through our partnership with the Department of Agriculture, this nationwide surge exposed and disrupted criminal networks that targeted vulnerable American families. The Department of Justice will continue working to root out fraud in every federal agency and program.”

“Every instance of SNAP fraud has two victims: families in dire need and taxpayers. Today, we are reminding fraudsters that we will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins of USDA. “Thank you to USDA’s OIG and our state and federal partners for working with us to bring justice to families harmed by criminals. Under the Trump Administration, food stamp fraud ends now.”

“The human cost of these fraud schemes is measured not in spreadsheets, but in the panic of a mother whose card is declined and the hunger her children endure because someone hijacked their benefits,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “These schemes inflict real harm on real American families, and they erode the trust taxpayers place in programs designed to keep Americans fed. That is why the Fraud Division is acting with urgency, not just to prosecute fraud, but to protect the people who depend on these lifelines.”

“SNAP fraud despicably robs from low-income Americans that rely on the program for food assistance and diverts taxpayer funds to line the pockets of fraudsters and bankroll other criminal activities like guns and drugs that make American communities less safe,” said Inspector General John Walk of USDA OIG. “No more! USDA OIG is committed to support Vice President Vance’s leadership to disrupt fraud schemes and send criminals straight to prison.  I am honored to stand with Vice President Vance today and grateful for our special agents whose work as part of this nationwide surge brought significant law enforcement actions against fraudsters in dozens of cases across the country.  This surge is only the beginning. USDA OIG will continue to unite behind our partners in the whole-of-government fight to eliminate fraud and hold fraudsters to account.”

“SNAP benefit fraud steals from American taxpayers and from the families who depend on these benefits to put food on the table”, said Acting Executive Associate Director John A. Condon of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “Homeland Security Investigations is working closely with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to identify and dismantle the criminal networks that use skimming devices, stolen identities, fraudulent retailers, and other schemes to exploit this critical program. Those who profit by stealing public benefits should know that HSI will pursue the evidence, follow the money, and hold them accountable.”