Nick Shirley uses $120 can of Spam to expose Seattle SNAP fraud

Nick Shirley reported on October 9, 2026 that a $120 can of Spam was used to expose a food‑stamp fraud scheme in Seattle, Washington.

The investigation showed that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits were being diverted to purchase non‑essential items, including a $120 can of Spam, drugs, and sex services, prompting local authorities to begin an inquiry.

Shirley and a team of independent reporters, including San Francisco‑based Darren Stallcup and Seattle reporter Jonathan Choe, followed abandoned EBT cards they found littering homeless encampments. According to the report, many cards were discarded because they were so plentiful, and some were used by individuals described as “drug zombies” to buy illegal substances.

The reporters documented a process in which fraudsters offered cash for the cards, partnered with local businesses to adjust food prices to match the card balances, and then laundered the funds. In one video, a woman at a Seattle seafood market agreed to turn an abandoned EBT card into cash, then used the money to purchase the expensive Spam can.

Shirley’s video also highlighted a street broker who directed the team to a downtown location where the card could be turned into cash. A Vietnamese woman was seen calling the number on the back of an EBT card, apparently to check its balance, before negotiating a purchase price of $60 for the $120 balance.

The exposure has drawn attention to how SNAP benefits can be exploited on the streets, raising concerns about taxpayer dollars funding illicit activity. City officials have said they will investigate the reported network of fraud and consider measures to protect the program.

Law‑enforcement agencies were encouraged to review the footage and follow leads provided by the reporters, including the name of the seafood market mentioned at the five‑minute‑eighteen‑second mark of the longer video.