The Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division charged 17 defendants between Aug. 21 and Sept. 18 over allegations involving more than $1.34 million in stolen Social Security Administration benefits. The operation was conducted with U.S. Attorneys’ offices in 11 districts and the SSA Office of Inspector General. Cases include allegations that Eva Bratcher concealed her mother’s body in a freezer for two years while collecting her benefits, a New York man withdrew money from his deceased brother’s account, and a Michigan woman misused nearly $122,000 belonging to her disabled uncle. The division, created April 7, supports President Donald Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, chaired by Vice President JD Vance. Officials have described the Social Security actions as part of a broader federal campaign against fraud in government programs.