In some massive news announced in a press release on Friday, June 26, the Department of Justice announced that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), led by Director Kash Patel, had managed to nab a notorious Somali fraudster involved with the “Feeding Our Future” scandal, and take him into custody.
Announcing the great news that the orchestrator of the massive welfare fraud scandal had been caught, the DOJ said, “United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced today that Abdikerm Abdelahi Eidleh, 42, of Burnsville, Minnesota—one of the orchestrators of the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme—was taken into custody on June 25, 2026, in Mogadishu, Somalia.”
Continuing, the press release explained the various crimes he is accused of committing, saying, “Eidleh was among the defendants originally charged by indictment in the Feeding Our Future scheme on September 13, 2022. The indictment alleges 31 counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, federal programs bribery, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering.”
Describing more specifically his involvement in the Feeding Our Future scheme, the press release then said, “According to court documents, Eidleh was an employee of Feeding Our Future who was responsible for recruiting and supporting Federal Child Nutrition Program sites under Feeding Our Future’s sponsorship.”
Building on that, it noted, “He and other Feeding Our Future employees solicited and received bribes and kickbacks from individuals and companies seeking approval to operate fraudulent Federal Child Nutrition Program sites. The indictment describes Feeding Our Future as operating a pay‑to‑play scheme in which operators of fraudulent meal sites kicked back a portion of their illicit proceeds to employees, including Eidleh, often disguised as “consulting fees” through shell companies.”
Adding to that with yet more details on the fraud he’s accused of committing, it said, “The indictment alleges that Eidleh created his own Federal Child Nutrition Program sites in the name of nominee owners and fraudulently claimed that the sites were serving meals to thousands of children per day. He also created shell companies purporting to be meal vendors for those sites and created and submitted fraudulent invoices to obtain, misappropriate, and defraud federal nutrition program funds.”
And, noting the massive amount of money he allegedly collected as part of the fraud, it said, “Eidleh deposited more than $5 million in kickbacks, bribes, and other fraud proceeds into accounts associated with his shell companies, using them to conceal the true nature and source of the illegally obtained funds.”
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Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald said, commenting on the news and the central importance of the fraudster who was just arrested, “This defendant was a central figure in one of the largest fraud schemes in Minnesota history. He not only stole taxpayer dollars, but he also robbed vulnerable children of critical resources they desperately needed. Rather than answer for his crimes in the United States, he fled to Somalia in a futile attempt to evade justice. That attempt ended thanks to the exceptional work of our FBI partners. The Department of Justice will continue to track down and prosecute fraudsters wherever they run and wherever they hide.”
United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen, commenting on the FBI’s role in finding the fraudster, said, “Eidleh’s capture shows that, if you commit fraud against the American taxpayer, and try hiding across the globe, the long arm of justice will find you,. We salute the FBI’s work in finding Eidleh, and are grateful to all our federal and international partners that help us hold accountable those who defraud our government.”
FBI Minneapolis Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson highlighted the FBI’s role as well, saying, “With the apprehension of Abdikerm Eidleh, the FBI’s partnerships with law enforcement worldwide again send a message – the FBI’s reach is far and wide, we will track down and bring to justice any fugitive, from anywhere.”
Concluding, he said, “According to the indictment, Eidleh’s alleged fraud took millions of dollars from programs designed for children and families in need. When the alleged fraud was uncovered, he unwisely tried to hide from justice on the other side of the world. The FBI and our partners will shine a light on fraudsters wherever they may try to hide. The FBI extends its sincere appreciation to the National Intelligence and Security Agency of Somalia for their outstanding partnership in locating and apprehending Eidleh so he may be brought to justice.”
Watch a report on another FBI fraud crackdown: