Welfare Scam in Minnesota Linked to Al-Shabab

A welfare fraud scheme in Minnesota allegedly directed taxpayer funds to the Islamic extremist group al-Shabab, as reported by City Journal, referencing law enforcement sources.

Significant amounts of state money are said to have flowed from Minnesota’s Somali community to various international organizations, including funds from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). The administration of Democratic Governor Tim Walz is facing mounting scrutiny following a federal probe that uncovered extensive fraud involving a DHS program designed to assist residents in accessing taxpayer-supported housing.

An official from the FBI’s New York office recently stated that Cholo Abdi Abdullah received a sentence for plotting a 9/11-style attack under the instruction of al-Shabab.

According to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, this group has been involved in numerous violent incidents globally. A certain operative, linked to al-Shabab, was convicted for planning attacks on the U.S. back in November 2024.

One law enforcement source, speaking anonymously to City Journal, remarked on the sensitive nature of the issue, stating, “The biggest funders of al-Shabaab are Minnesota taxpayers.” However, the report did not detail specific timelines or programs implicated in the fraud.

The Minnesota DHS Inspector General’s Office and the FBI’s Minneapolis field office were unavailable for comments at the time.

A substantial portion of the misappropriated funds was reportedly transferred via “hawala,” a traditional money transfer method, before being funneled to al-Shabab. The Justice Department mentioned that six out of the eight individuals federally charged in connection with the Walz Housing Stability Services program are of Somali heritage. In response to the fraud, the state suspended the program on October 31st.