US authorities uncover $42 million in SNAP fraud during nationwide crackdown

SNAP fraud Department of Justice USDA Department of Homeland Security EBT theft

A coordinated nationwide enforcement surge by the Department of Justice, the USDA, and the Department of Homeland Security has uncovered nearly $42 million in fraudulent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) activity. The operation, which included thirteen U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Utah Attorney General’s Office, resulted in charges against more than 40 defendants.

Total intended losses across various USDA programs are estimated at nearly $45 million between September 1 and October 21. One major case involves two defendants accused of using stolen EBT information to facilitate approximately $29.7 million in fraudulent transactions. Another individual, social media personality Mercedes New (also known as Shawty Dred), is accused of causing $4.4 million in losses by accessing hundreds of SNAP accounts.

In a related component of the crackdown, the Department of Homeland Security launched an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation targeting undocumented immigrants accused of unlawfully obtaining SNAP benefits. Officials confirmed several arrests, including Haitian and Cuban nationals, as part of a sustained effort to ensure federal assistance programs are used exclusively by eligible citizens.

Entities

Department of Homeland Security · Department of Justice · Markwayne Mullin · Mercedes New · Todd Blanche · U.S. Department of Agriculture · U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The Department of Homeland Security launched an operation targeting illegal immigrants accused of SNAP fraud. internewscast.com · www.breitbart.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The enforcement surge occurred between September 1 and October 21. regtechtimes.com · 100percentfedup.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Two defendants are accused of a scheme involving $29.7 million in losses. 100percentfedup.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Mercedes New is accused of causing $4.4 million in SNAP losses. 100percentfedup.com · www.ntd.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Total intended losses to the federal government were nearly $45 million. regtechtimes.com · 100percentfedup.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Five illegal migrants were arrested for unlawfully exploiting SNAP benefits. www.breitbart.com
[● 3 SOURCES] More than 40 defendants were charged in the enforcement actions. regtechtimes.com · 100percentfedup.com · www.ntd.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The enforcement surge uncovered nearly $42 million in SNAP fraud. regtechtimes.com · 100percentfedup.com · www.ntd.com · www.breitbart.com