USDA cracks down on SNAP benefit fraud in nationwide operation

05/11/2025 / By Laura Harris

USDA is intensifying efforts to combat fraud in SNAP, targeting criminals who steal benefits through tactics like card skimming, cloning and phishing.
Investigations reveal that organized crime groups, including international networks, are exploiting SNAP by siphoning funds meant for low-income Americans, diverting taxpayer dollars for illicit profits.
A multi-agency operation in Southern California led to arrests and evidence seizures, targeting fraudulent retailers and individuals involved in SNAP theft.
The USDA under Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy toward fraud, citing efforts to recover $132 million in wasteful spending and strengthen SNAP eligibility enforcement.
While measures address retailer fraud and eligibility verification, concerns remain about transparency regarding SNAP food purchases, which the proposal does not address.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a major crackdown on criminals stealing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for illegal profit.

SNAP, the largest federal food assistance program in the U.S., serves over 41 million low-income Americans struggling to afford groceries, many of them families with children, via electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards. However, SNAP fraud has become a persistent issue, with criminals using tactics like card skimming, cloning and phishing to steal benefits.

“Criminals steal funds loaded onto EBT cards that SNAP recipients rely on to buy food by surreptitiously installing card skimmers and cloning point of sale terminals, enabling them to steal publicly funded benefits,” a USDA news release said. “Recent investigations show that international criminal organizations are heavily involved and benefiting from SNAP fraud.”

In line with this, USDA’s Special Investigations Unit, in collaboration with El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Secret Service, conducted surveillance operations across more than 100 locations in Southern California on May 2. The operation, which targeted fraudulent SNAP retailers and individuals engaged in theft, led to multiple arrests and the seizure of high-value evidence.

“These are truly sick and depraved individuals who are stealing food from low-income Americans for their own profit,” acting USDA Deputy Under Secretary John Walk said. “It is especially disturbing when international criminal organizations siphon tax dollars away from SNAP beneficiaries to fund their own illicit activities. I commend Secretary [Brooke] Rollins’ attention in fighting this fraud.” (Related: USDA tightens SNAP eligibility rules to prevent benefits for illegal immigrants.)

The USDA did not disclose the exact number of arrests but emphasized that the operation was part of a broader effort to combat fraud within the program.

USDA Secretary Rollins: Trump administration won’t tolerate fraud

The move comes as the Trump administration intensifies its efforts to eliminate “fraud, waste and abuse” in federal programs.

In February, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that the department had already identified more than $132 million in excess spending, terminated 78 contracts and canceled 948 employee trainings – 758 of which focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Additionally, Rollins declared that the USDA has strengthened SNAP integrity by cracking down on fraud, appointing an integrity officer and ensuring benefits go only to qualified recipients, while law enforcement safeguards taxpayer dollars under the second Trump administration.

“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. President Trump is restoring law and order. At USDA, we are fighting back against fraud and misuse of taxpayer dollars and ensuring those who need and qualify for benefits, actually receive them,” Rollins said.

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Watch this video explaining the major SNAP benefit changes under the second Trump administration.

This video is from the Treasure of the Sun channel on Brighteon.com.