Welfare cheats will be targeted in a data-mining crackdown said to cost the government $133 million last year, according to new reports.

The Federal Government is set to announce the crackdown on people sponsoring partners for immigration purposes and then claiming single welfare benefits.

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The government told News Corp Australia the welfare fraud cost taxpayers almost $133 million last year.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton and Human Services Minister Marise Payne are expected on Monday to announce a new data matching system which will uncover couples claiming to be either married or in a de facto relationship but providing different details to different departments.

Legitimate couples, who are happily married, but claim they’ve split in order to access separate payments will also be targeted.

“Last year, my department identified an increase in the number of allegations relating to the facilitating of contrived marriages,” Mr Dutton told The Daily Telegraph.

“This data-matching program is part of a whole-of-government approach to fraud detection and prevention. People who deliberately take advantage of Australia’s welfare and migration system will be caught.”

Those found guilty of fraud face losing their visa, being forced to pay back the money and criminal charges.