Trump, Vance Launch $25 Million Bounty Program for Fraud Tips

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are launching a new $25 million program that will offer financial rewards to individuals who provide information leading to federal convictions of fraudsters. The Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program (WHIP) aims to combat the theft of taxpayer dollars by incentivizing citizens to report illicit activities.

Under WHIP, tipsters could receive up to $30,000 for information that results in a guilty verdict or plea. The initiative is spearheaded by Vance, who leads a task force focused on the misuse of federal benefits and taxpayer funds. All tips must be submitted through fraud.gov to be eligible for the bounty.

During an announcement in the Oval Office, investigative vlogger Nick Shirley will be presented with a $10,000 check for his role in exposing alleged fraud within Somali-American-run childcare centers in Minnesota. Shirley's work brought attention to cases involving facilities like the “Quality Learing Center” in Minneapolis.

"Every day, President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud is zeroing in on the rampant abuse of taxpayer dollars and giving Americans the accountability they deserve," White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis stated. "This administration has zero tolerance for individuals who steal from Americans."

The program is similar to a longstanding initiative by the IRS, which provides rewards to informants for reporting tax fraud. This administration has previously undertaken several high-profile actions against fraud. In September, Vance announced that 750,000 individuals would be removed from Obamacare rolls due to suspected fraudulent enrollment, with an additional 450,000 under review.

Vance's previous actions as head of the fraud task force include withholding Medicaid reimbursements from states for programs deemed high-risk, imposing a moratorium on durable medical equipment providers for Medicare, and suspending hundreds of hospice providers in California. In August, the administration also ordered the closure of 270 commercial driver's licensing schools accused of graduating unqualified drivers.