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Vice President JD Vance announced that federal authorities had uncovered nearly $42 million in alleged Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud during a visit to the FBI’s Cincinnati field office.
The nationwide enforcement effort resulted in actions against more than 40 defendants accused of fraud involving food assistance and other U.S. Department of Agriculture programs.
Vance highlights SNAP fraud investigation at Cincinnati FBI office
Vance visited the FBI’s Cincinnati Field Office in Kenwood, Ohio, on Wednesday to discuss the Trump administration’s efforts to combat fraud involving federally funded assistance programs.
The announcement focused on a nationwide enforcement operation led by the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the USDA Office of Inspector General.
According to the Justice Department, the operation involved enforcement actions against more than 40 defendants in cases involving nearly $45 million in intended losses to the federal government. Nearly $42 million of that amount was associated with alleged SNAP fraud.
SNAP, commonly known as food stamps, provides monthly food assistance to eligible low-income individuals and families. Recipients use electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards to purchase eligible groceries at authorized retailers.
During his Cincinnati remarks, Vance emphasized the importance of protecting public funds intended to help Americans afford food.
He argued that fraud involving food assistance programs harms both taxpayers and families who depend on the benefits.
The investigation forms part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to identify and prosecute alleged fraud involving federal government programs.
Federal operation targets alleged SNAP fraud schemes
The Justice Department announced the nationwide enforcement effort on Oct. 21, following coordinated actions by federal prosecutors and investigative agencies.
The operation ran from Sept. 1 through Oct. 21 and involved the Fraud Division, 13 U.S. attorneys’ offices and the Utah attorney general’s office.
Authorities said the cases targeted alleged schemes involving SNAP benefits and other USDA programs.
Investigators examined alleged misuse of electronic benefit transfer accounts, fraudulent transactions and other activities involving government assistance funds.
One of the cases involved two defendants accused of participating in a scheme that allegedly generated approximately $29.7 million in intended losses through fraudulent EBT transactions.
According to the Justice Department, the defendants operated approved retail food stores in Chicago and allegedly processed transactions using stolen Ohio and other states’ EBT account information between February 2024 and April 2025.
Prosecutors allege that the transactions falsely appeared to represent legitimate purchases of eligible food products when no genuine sales occurred.
The indictment alleges that the scheme caused government administrators to transfer millions of dollars in federal funds to accounts controlled by the defendants and others.
The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. The allegations remain subject to the criminal justice process.
Officials say SNAP fraud harms eligible families
Federal officials said SNAP fraud can deprive eligible households of assistance they need to purchase food.
In some cases, criminals allegedly use stolen identities or compromised EBT account information to obtain or divert benefits intended for other recipients.
The Justice Department described a case involving a mother of four whose benefits were stolen after her EBT card information was compromised. According to the agency, the woman discovered the theft when her card was declined and subsequently had to borrow money to feed her children.
Authorities said the enforcement initiative aims to disrupt criminal networks, protect public funds and hold people accountable for alleged fraud.
However, allegations and criminal charges do not establish guilt. Defendants are entitled to due process, and prosecutors must prove criminal charges in court.
Cincinnati visit highlights federal anti-fraud efforts
Vance’s appearance in Kenwood placed Greater Cincinnati at the center of a nationwide announcement about the administration’s efforts to combat fraud involving federal assistance programs.
The visit also came as the Trump administration expanded its broader anti-fraud initiative.
On Oct. 20, President Donald Trump and Vance announced a Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program intended to encourage people to report suspected fraud involving government programs. The administration said eligible tipsters could receive financial rewards when their information leads to qualifying enforcement actions.
The Cincinnati event highlighted the federal government’s efforts to investigate alleged misuse of SNAP benefits and other public funds.
For Ohio residents, the cases underscore the importance of protecting EBT accounts and reporting suspected benefit theft to the appropriate authorities.
The Justice Department and its federal partners said investigations and enforcement efforts would continue as they work to identify additional suspected fraud.
