FBI Offers $150,000 Reward for Somali-American Wanted in $5 Million COVID-19 Fraud Case

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MINNEAPOLIS: The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a wanted notice for Somali-American Fahad Mohamed Nur, who is accused of participating in a multi-million-dollar fraud and money laundering scheme linked to U.S. government-funded child nutrition programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the FBI, Nur is wanted on federal charges including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Prosecutors allege that he fraudulently obtained approximately $5 million through the scheme.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to Nur’s arrest and conviction. The agency said Nur has ties to Somalia and may be residing in Somalia or another country.

The wanted notice comes just days after Somali authorities arrested another suspect linked to the same investigation in Mogadishu. Last week, Abdikarim Eidleh was taken into custody by Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) following an international request from U.S. authorities. He is accused of participating in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme and is expected to face extradition proceedings to the United States.

The case is part of the broader “Feeding Our Future” investigation, which U.S. prosecutors describe as one of the largest COVID-19 pandemic fraud schemes in American history.

According to federal prosecutors, individuals involved in the conspiracy exploited emergency rules introduced during the pandemic by creating fictitious meal distribution sites, inflating the number of children allegedly served, and submitting fraudulent reimbursement claims through the Minnesota-based non-profit Feeding Our Future, which sponsored federal child nutrition programs.

U.S. authorities allege that more than $250 million intended to feed children during the COVID-19 pandemic was fraudulently diverted through the scheme. More than 70 people have been charged in connection with the investigation, with several defendants pleading guilty or being convicted at trial, while others remain fugitives believed to have fled the United States.

The FBI said investigators continue working with international law enforcement partners to locate and apprehend the remaining suspects and recover misappropriated public funds.