Video: Individual Involved in $11 Million Minnesota Fraud Case Goes Missing

Search Underway for Minnesota Medicaid Fraud Suspect

Authorities are currently searching for Abdirashid Ismail Saeed, a 50-year-old man accused of orchestrating a Medicaid fraud scheme that defrauded Minnesota taxpayers of nearly $11 million. Saeed was expected to appear in court in Hennepin County on Wednesday but did not show up, leading to the forfeiture of his $150,000 bail.

Reports indicate that Saeed avoided a requirement to surrender his passport by posting an unconditional bond. Had he posted a conditional bond, it would have required the surrender of his passport for a lower amount of $50,000. He is among three individuals facing theft charges related to this fraudulent case.

Investigators have raised concerns that Saeed might flee, as his wife and child reside in Nairobi, Kenya. They worry he could evade authorities and obstruct the execution of the warrant issued for his arrest.

It was reported in September that Saeed is set to face court again in 2025, facing a total of ten charges, including aiding and abetting theft by perjury, extortion, and fraud. Notably, he was previously convicted in a different theft case in 2021, which prohibited him from working with any company receiving Medicaid reimbursements.

Saeed’s alleged accomplices, Ali Abdirizak Ahmed and Saeed Awil Ibrahim, have also been charged in connection with this scheme. Ahmed is still wanted for his charges, while Ibrahim is scheduled for trial on June 8.

News of Saeed’s disappearance gained traction after citizen journalist Nick Shirley highlighted extensive fraud issues in Minnesota, particularly connected to the Somali community, last December. In response, a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing was held in February to address these concerns.

After the fraud allegations, actions were taken by the Trump administration to investigate the situation further, including the cessation of federal funding for Minnesota and an investigation by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services into the Somali community.