Vice President JD Vance Announces Major Fraud Enforcement Actions
Vice President JD Vance recently shared details regarding a nationwide crackdown on fraud that has led to legal actions against over 40 individuals accused of attempting to defraud USDA assistance programs, including food stamps. The total amount targeted was nearly $45 million.
This coordinated effort, which involved the USDA, its Office of Inspector General (OIG), and the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) National Fraud Enforcement Division, took place between September 1 and October 21, as revealed by the DOJ on Wednesday.
Approximately $42 million of these attempted fraud cases were related to SNAP benefits, while the remaining funds were linked to a USDA crop‑insurance program.
Attorney General Todd Blanche pointed out that “220,000 Americans could have eaten for the entire month of October if it were not for this $42 million in fraud.”
Vance emphasized the importance of SNAP, calling it “one of the most important social service programs” in the U.S., one that many others have emulated. He remarked that it plays a crucial role in preventing hunger among American children and families.
“Unfortunately, like with so many of these other amazing programs, we find that there are people out there who commit fraud; who, quite literally, in this case, steal from the mouths of hungry children to enrich themselves,” Vance added.
The most significant case involved Jorag Yaseen and Rami Kanaan, who operated authorized food stores in Chicago. They allegedly processed thousands of fraudulent transactions using stolen EBT account information, targeting approximately $29.7 million in transactions with no legitimate food sales involved.
These individuals are facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering in the Southern District of Ohio, with specific mention of illegal wire transactions involving stolen EBT cards.
Another notable case featured Georgian rapper Mercedes New, known as “Shawty Dred,” who allegedly managed over 350 SNAP accounts created using stolen identities from January 2020 to July 2026. Authorities linked over 500 Georgia EBT cards to New, who is accused of using these fraudulently obtained benefits to steal more than $660,000.
His operation led to the revocation of his store’s SNAP authorization and his arrest in late 2025 for reportedly selling SNAP benefits, with an overall fraud scheme amounting to $4.6 million.
“Part of what helped us identify Shawty Dred is the guy’s posting Instagram videos, and we’re able to connect the money that he’s making with what he then spends on private jets and other things,” someone involved in the investigation noted.
One of the identified posts showed him burning cash while displaying a stack of $20 bills.
Officials from President Donald Trump’s administration highlighted that the true victims of fraud in social programs are the most vulnerable within communities.
“Every instance of SNAP fraud has two victims: families in dire need and taxpayers. Today, we remind fraudsters that we will find you and prosecute you fully,” stated USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins. “Under the Trump Administration, food stamp fraud ends now.”
Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald pointed out that “the human cost of these fraud schemes is measured not in spreadsheets, but in the panic of a mother whose card is declined,” illustrating the real harm inflicted on families and the loss of trust in programs designed to support those in need.
