Minnesota’s Somali-linked scams drain US taxpayers of a sum rivalling Somalia’s GDP: Read how the welfare system was gamed in a multi-billion-dollar fraud

With around 80,000 residents, Minnesota hosts the biggest Somali diaspora in the United States. Many of them are refugees from the civil war that has raged in their native nation since 1991. They moved to Minneapolis and its suburbs, enticed by meatpacking jobs, Lutheran charity networks, and a more generous welfare system than others. Notably, anti-India Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is also of Somali descent. However, the community has often come into the spotlight following significant scandals that erupted concerning Minnesota’s social programmes. An astounding $9 billion is the anticipated overall damage, which is close to Somalia’s entire GDP. It was also determined that of the 98 defendants indicted and over 60 convictions in significant fraud cases across the state, 85 are either Somali Americans or of Somali heritage. MINNESOTA FRAUD: @NickShirleyyy’s work has helped show Americans the scale of fraud in Tim Walz’s Minnesota. @TheJusticeDept has been investigating this for months. So far, we have charged 98 individuals – 85 of Somali descent – and more than 60 have been found guilty in…— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) December 29, 2025 The truth comes to light On 27th December, the issue surfaced after Nick Shirley, a 23-year-old YouTuber, exposed the pervasive fraud at childcare centres run by Somalis using publicly accessible data from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. These facilities had received millions in government subsidies, but the footage showed deserted playgrounds, blacked-out windows, closed doors at licensed daycares and angry employees who screamed or ran away when confronted. A woman even yelled, “Don’t open up, it’s ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).” A neighbour also attested that no kids had been spotted there in eight years. Shirley stated, “This could be the largest fraud scandal in US history,” during his investigation. He pointed out that federal and state funding were diverted to businesses that had negligible or no operational history. Here is the full 42 minutes of my crew and I exposing Minnesota fraud, this might be my most important work yet. We uncovered over $110,000,000 in ONE day. Like it and share it around like wildfire! Its time to hold these corrupt politicians and fraudsters accountableWe ALL… pic.twitter.com/E3Penx2o7a— Nick shirley (@nickshirleyy) December 26, 2025 The places that were authorised to look after dozens of kids seemed empty during the day. Shirley’s guide, David, a local researcher who reported having been stabbed during his own inquiry, assisted him in recording $110 million in dubious payments. “I would drive by these childcare centres in the middle of the day, and there were never any kids there. That’s when I started asking, where are these children?” David remarked. Shirley maintained that these centres received annual payments of hundreds of thousands of pounds, and in some instances, millions, even though they didn’t appear to be functioning. Additionally, abuse within home healthcare programs and non-emergency medical transport services was revealed in the video. According to the YouTuber, officials knew about the suspicious activities but did nothing about them. Vice President JD Vance and former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) head Elon Musk both shared the footage. The alarming reality sparks inquiry and outrage The explosive disclosures in Shirley’s video resulted in major backlash against the administration, including Democrat Governor Tim Walz, after which an investigation was launched. On 29th December, federal agents were in Minnesota conducting a probe into the matter. ICE and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) were present in Minneapolis. A video of officers walking “door to door” at suspected fraud locations was made public by Homeland Security. It wrote, “The American people deserve answers on how their taxpayer money is being used and arrests when abuse is found.” DHS is on the ground in Minneapolis, going DOOR TO DOOR at suspected fraud sites. The American people deserve answers on how their taxpayer money is being used and ARRESTS when abuse is found. Under the leadership of @Sec_Noem, DHS is working to deliver results. pic.twitter.com/7XtRflv36b— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) December 29, 2025 “Our agents are conducting a massive operation to identify, arrest, and remove criminals who are defrauding the American people at daycares, healthcare facilities, and other suspected sites. We will not stop until we’ve rooted out this rampant fraud plaguing Minnesota,” Homeland Security vowed in another post. The American people demand answers and accountability. DHS, under @Sec_Noem, will deliver on them. Our agents are conducting a massive operation to identify, arrest, and remove criminals who are defrauding the American people at daycares, healthcare facilities, and other… pic.twitter.com/DvA62Sjl1J— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) Decemb