NAIROBI, Kenya-Federal authorities in Minnesota have prosecuted one of the largest COVID-19-related fraud schemes in the United States, with a significant number of convicted individuals of Somali descent.
According to official statements, 98 people have been charged in connection with fraudulent activities targeting federal relief programs in Minnesota, with more than 60 defendants found guilty in court.
Of those charged, 85 are of Somali descent.
A central case in the investigation is the Feeding Our Future program, promoted as a nationwide initiative to provide free meals to children during the pandemic.
Investigators say that few, if any, children were actually fed. Authorities allege the program submitted fake invoices and falsified rosters of children purportedly receiving meals.
Millions of dollars in taxpayer funds were reportedly sent overseas to East Africa and the Middle East.
The scheme’s leader, Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, was convicted in August 2025 and sentenced to 28 years in prison.
He was also ordered to pay over $47 million in restitution.
The U.S. Department of Justice has been investigating the case for months, working alongside federal partners such as the Department of Labor.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi shared the brief, while authorities praised the work of U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen and media partner DMN News for exposing the fraud and building strong cases against its perpetrators.
Officials have indicated that more prosecutions are expected, signaling continued federal action against organized schemes that exploit pandemic relief programs.
The case highlights the scale of fraud in Minnesota and the ongoing efforts to protect taxpayer funds.
Tim Walz looked the other way as fake daycare centers stole MILLIONS meant for American children.Enough is enough.I’m demanding a full federal investigation into this fraud and his failure to stop it.READ MORE from Fox News: foxnews.com/politics/senat…
