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Minnesota fraud suspect arrested in Somalia after 4 years on the run, officials say

Minnesota fraud suspect arrested in Somalia after 4 years on the run, officials say

Summary

Abdikerm Eidleh, a suspected leader in the biggest pandemic fraud case in the U.S., was arrested in Somalia after more than four years on the run. He is accused of helping run a $250 million scheme that involved fake receipts and bribery to steal government money meant for food programs in Minnesota.

Key Facts

  • Abdikerm Eidleh was arrested in Mogadishu, Somalia, in a raid led by the FBI and Somali intelligence.
  • He is a key figure in the Feeding Our Future fraud case, which involved $250 million in stolen funds.
  • Eidleh allegedly collected $5 million in bribes and told food businesses to submit fake receipts.
  • He was second in command to Aimee Bock, who received a prison sentence of over 40 years for leading the fraud.
  • So far, 79 people have been charged in the case, mostly of Somali descent, with 66 convicted or pleading guilty.
  • The fraud involved taxpayer-funded social programs like childcare, housing, and behavioral health, mostly in Minnesota.
  • Officials say the total fraud in Minnesota might be more than $1 billion.
  • The FBI emphasized that Somalia is not a safe place for fugitives due to international law enforcement efforts.
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