MIAMI -- U.S. Attorney's Office announced Thursday the arrest of 34 people who investigators said defrauded social security using obesity as an excuse not to work.

The 34 Miami-Dade County residents who were named in 25 separate indictments allegedly claimed that they were so overweight that they were unable to work.

Investigators said not a single one of those indicted had a legitimate claim to benefits.

According to investigators, some of the defendants recruited others who were willing to submit false applications and supporting medical documents for disability benefits.

Benefits are legitimately paid to people who cannot work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death, according to court documents.

The indictments named: Alfonso Alvarez, Arnaldo Cruz, Carlos Barker, Francisco Castro, Julia Del Toro, Nancy Espinosa, Maria Fernandez, Tamara Fernandez, Xiomara F. Gonzalez, Xiomara M. Gonzalez, Anibal Guerrero, Leticia Hamid, Mustafa Hamid, Frank Hernandez, Lazaro Hernandez, Roalba Iglesias, Yolando Iglesias, Migdalia Interian, Miguel Interian, Yoanka Interian, Lucas Jimenez, Maria Martinez, Richard Mendez, Miriam Moreno, Rolando Morales, Olga Pena, Lujis Santos, Magaly Telleria, Dolores Valdes, Nery Valdes, Belen Villar and Jacobo Villar.

Investigators said that the 34 people had attempted to fraudulently a total of nearly $2 million.