From Newsgroup: alt.law-enforcement

AI Overview
Yes, scammers stole over $1 billion in Minnesota through fraud schemes, primarily involving the theft of COVID-19 relief funds intended for
child nutrition programs. Federal prosecutors have convicted 59 people
in connection with these plots, which involved setting up fake companies
to bill state agencies for services that were never provided. The fraud
is notably larger than Minnesota's annual Department of Corrections
budget and stands out even within the context of widespread
pandemic-related theft, according to The New York Times.
Scale of the theft: The theft amounts to over $1 billion in taxpayer
money across three plots being investigated by federal prosecutors.
How the fraud worked: The schemes involved individuals setting up
companies that falsely billed state agencies for millions of dollars in
social services that were never provided.
Impact: The amount stolen is greater than Minnesota's annual spending on
its Department of Corrections.
Legal action: So far, 59 people have been convicted in connection with
the fraud. The cases are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office
for the District of Minnesota, with investigations involving the FBI,
the IRSrCoCriminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

see also

It's Not rCLRacistrCY to Notice Somali Fraud
City Journal
https://www.city-journal.org rC| article rC| fraud-minnesota-...
5 days ago rCo Last week, my colleague Ryan Thorpe and I broke a story
about widespread fraud committed by Somalis in Minnesota. Members of the state's Somali ...
Missing: 1 $ rCA| Show results with: 1 $
Federal investigators warn Minnesota welfare fraud may ...

WBFF
https://foxbaltimore.com rC| news rC| nation-world rC| feder...
Nov 21, 2025 rCo Federal prosecutors say Minnesota is facing one of the largest welfare-fraud waves in U.S. history.
Somali immigrants tied to fraud scheme | On Balance

Facebook -+ NewsNation
30+ reactions -+ 5 days ago
Investigators say Somali immigrants exploited programs meant for
vulnerable residents, including a recent $14 million Medicare scam
involving ...
Opinion | Welfare fraud is far too common

The Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com rC| ... rC| The Post's View
Nov 22, 2025 rCo Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson has charged eight Minnesota men, six of whom are Somali, with wire fraud for setting up
fake companies ...
Missing: Scammers rCA| Show results with: Scammers
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2