By Jamie Martin
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, in partnership with federal law enforcement, carried out operations this week to stop widespread fraud within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These efforts aim to protect taxpayer money and ensure benefits go to those who truly need them.
Secretary Rollins praised law enforcement teams for protecting the system. “Fraud will not be tolerated by the Trump Administration. I want to thank our hardworking law enforcement officers who work every day to ensure federal benefits are properly distributed and safeguard taxpayer dollars from criminals,” he said.
The USDA’s Special Investigations Unit, along with the Department of Homeland Security, joined forces in Los Angeles to target EBT card fraud. Criminals are stealing funds using card skimmers and cloned point-of-sale terminals, allowing them to drain accounts meant for low-income individuals.
Recent data suggests international criminal groups are playing a major role in these thefts, redirecting public funds to support illegal operations. The Secret Service, along with Homeland Security Investigations, investigated over 100 locations in Southern California. Multiple arrests were made, and key evidence was seized.
“These are truly sick and depraved individuals who are stealing food from low-income Americans for their own profit,” said Acting Deputy Under Secretary John Walk. “It is especially disturbing when international criminal organizations siphon tax dollars away from SNAP beneficiaries to fund their own illicit activities.”
The USDA’s investigators across the nation remain focused on stopping SNAP fraud at the retail level. This operation marks one of the most significant efforts in U.S. history to combat EBT fraud and ensure SNAP works as intended.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National