The Trump administration’s new fraud whistleblower program has received thousands of tips in just days, Assistant Attorney General for the National Fraud Enforcement Division Colin McDonald revealed Saturday on “My View with Lara Trump,” as the Justice Department ramps up its crackdown on fraud.
“In the last few days, we’ve received thousands of tips through this new tip line. This is a novel approach, a novel approach to try new things to combat the fraudsters,” he said, adding that fraudsters were “constantly evolving” new tactics while the federal government just did “the same old thing” until now.
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“We are going to do new things, and this whistleblower program is an example of that, where folks can get upfront payment when there is an arrest and not have to wait to the very end of a case, which is what every other whistleblower program in history has done,” he added.
President Donald Trump announced the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program on Tuesday and said qualifying tipsters would receive a 1% commission, subject to applicable laws and rules.
McDonald, the administration’s “fraud czar,” praised the new approach.
Under the new program, submitting an allegation alone would not qualify someone for a reward. The tip must lead to a successful fraud conviction or significant federal enforcement action, according to a White House official.
The new whistleblower initiative comes as the administration expands its efforts to combat fraud involving federal benefit programs, including a recent 50-day enforcement surge targeting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The effort uncovered approximately $40 million in alleged SNAP fraud involving more than 40 suspects.
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McDonald acknowledged that recovering stolen taxpayer money after it has been spent can be difficult, but said the Justice Department is building an “asset recovery team of specialists” to track down fraud proceeds and pursue forfeiture of property purchased with stolen funds.
“We are bringing new tools to the fight against fraud so that the fraudsters are not the only ones learning,” McDonald said. “We are learning too, and we’re equipped with the full toolbox to confront them.”