WASHINGTON, United States — Tech billionaire Elon Musk has ignited controversy after alleging that what he termed “Somali scams” have been operating for more than a decade, accusing US authorities of failing to act as the schemes allegedly grew more organized and brazen.
In a post on X, Musk claimed the scams expanded annually due to inaction by government officials, singling out Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, whom he referred to as “Traitor Tim Walz,” for allegedly refusing to intervene.
“The Somali scams have been happening for at least a decade and got bigger and more brazen every year when the authorities like Traitor Tim Walz refused to do anything,” Musk wrote.
Musk did not provide evidence to substantiate his claims, nor did he specify the nature, scope, or documented investigations related to the alleged scams. His remarks nevertheless drew immediate attention due to his global profile and the sensitive nature of linking criminal activity to a specific ethnic or national group.
Legal experts note that fraud schemes in the US are typically investigated by federal and state law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Department of Justice, with prosecutions based on individual culpability rather than collective identity.
Musk’s reference to Governor Walz adds a political dimension to the remarks.
Walz, a prominent Democratic figure, has not publicly responded to the accusation. Observers say the comments align with Musk’s increasingly outspoken engagement in US political debates, often delivered through provocative language on social media.
Analysts caution that while online fraud is a documented and growing problem globally, responsible discourse requires precision and evidence.
Online scams—including investment fraud, impersonation schemes, and cyber-enabled financial crimes—have surged worldwide over the past decade, driven by digital platforms and cross-border networks. US authorities have acknowledged challenges in policing transnational cybercrime, often citing jurisdictional limits and resource constraints.
