SEATTLE — The Department of Social and Health Services says they're using social media and Craigslist to find people buying and selling food stamps illegally. A recent sting caught someone on camera buying an EBT card in May. That sting followed a Craigslist ad, where the suspect posted that he would pay cash for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. "People are doing it really brazenly," said Chris Wright, with Department of Social and Health Services, who said between 50 and 70 cases of online EBT trafficking happen every.In the most recent sting, an undercover investigator sold the card, and video shows the man enter a grocery store to use it, according to DSHS. They say they've already caught two others through stings. "We're watching. And if you keep doing it, eventually, you'll be caught," said Wright. OFA is benefiting from a $750,000 grant so they can aggressively pursue the online trafficking. They've hired three full-time investigators. The food benefit fraud costs taxpayers around $11 million per year, according to DSHS. "It comes with a penalty of up to five years in jail, if you're busted. Certainly, the risk isn't worth it," said Wright.
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