$1 trillion in pandemic aid was wasted on fraud, and nearly everyone’s personal information is available for purchase online.

Fraud Challenges Highlighted in Recent Report

A recent “60 Minutes” report aired on Sunday, revealing alarming issues of fraud within federal spending, linked largely to inefficiencies that have persisted during the Trump administration.

The segment featured Brian Vorndran, who leads the FBI’s cyber division, along with fraud expert Linda Miller, affiliated with the U.S. government’s Accountability Office.

Miller expressed her concern about the scope of fraud, disclosing that ring leaders from foreign nations, particularly in Russia and China, significantly contribute to the problem. She estimates annual federal losses due to fraud ranging from $550 billion to $750 billion, nearing a staggering $1 trillion.

“What we’re dealing with is state-sponsored actors,” she remarked. “This is organized crime utilizing massive amounts of stolen identities for illicit activities.” Among the more startling revelations was the assertion that nearly every American’s personal identification information, such as Social Security numbers, is readily available for purchase on the dark web.

During the interview, CBS News’ Cecilia Vega inquired whether it was true that such sensitive data was being sold online. Vorndran confirmed this, stating, “Yes, this is indeed true. Personal information—names, birth dates, previous addresses, and Social Security numbers—can all be found online and are likely up for sale.”

In a notable case from the previous year, authorities concluded that about $6 billion in pandemic relief funds had been fraudulently acquired.

“Fraudsters are quick to exploit disasters. They monitor where crises strike, analyze ZIP codes, and then start buying stolen identities to apply for disaster grants using that information,” Miller stated.

Interestingly, she also pointed out minor critiques directed at the previous administration’s investigations. She noted that certain instances of spending some may politically disagree with are often mischaracterized as fraud. “Just because you oppose a program doesn’t mean it’s a scam,” she clarified. “Fraud requires intent, which has to be demonstrated in court.”