FBI Executes 22 Search Warrants in Minnesota Welfare Fraud Probe

Federal law enforcement agencies executed 22 search warrants across Minnesota on April 28, 2026, targeting childcare centers and other businesses in a sweeping investigation into alleged welfare fraud. The raids, involving the FBI alongside state and local authorities, focused on prominent businesses tied to the Somali-American community, including facilities accused of billing for services not provided.

At least one raid occurred at the Somali Senior Center and Adult Day Services facility, where agents were seen entering and exiting the building.

The operations centered on locations such as the Quality Learning Center in Minneapolis, known for its signage misspelling 'Learning' as 'Learing,' and Baby Halimo Child Care, also in Minneapolis. Sources confirmed that two raids specifically targeted these sites, with law enforcement officers observed leaving the Quality Learning Center and loading into vehicles.

Another raided site was the Somali Senior Center and Adult Day Services, which did not answer a call from NBC News on the morning of April 28, 2026.

A Justice Department spokesperson stated that the FBI, with federal, state and local law enforcement, conducted court-authorized activity as part of an ongoing fraud investigation. A senior Justice Department official told NBC News that at least 22 federal search warrants were executed that morning. The raids are not part of an immigration enforcement operation.

A statement on April 28, 2026, thanked the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security for taking action against Somali fraudsters. Officials addressed the raids on April 28, 2026.

The raids build on ongoing federal fraud investigations into largely Somali-owned businesses, including childcare facilities that registered with the state but allegedly billed for care that was not provided. The Justice Department has indicted seven alleged fraudsters since September 2025 who allegedly recruited members of the Somali community for fake autism services, resulting in $14 million in losses.

At least 65 people have been charged criminally in the Feeding Our Future scam, which allegedly defrauded taxpayers of $250 million. As of December 2025, 57 people have been convicted in the Feeding Our Future case, either because they pleaded guilty or lost at trial.

Most of the defendants in the Feeding Our Future case are of Somali descent. In 2022, during former President Joe Biden’s administration, 47 people were charged in the Feeding Our Future case. The Justice Department began prosecuting the Feeding Our Future case during the Biden administration.

Minnesota has been under scrutiny for a massive $300 million pandemic fraud case involving the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, which drew renewed national attention in 2025 as convictions piled up. The administration estimates fraud in Minnesota at $19 billion. Dozens of people have been charged criminally in Minnesota fraud cases.

Democratic Gov. Tim Walz expressed regrets during a recent congressional hearing for not more effectively guarding against fraud.

The Quality Learning Center received national attention after blogger Nick Shirley visited several childcare addresses, finding vacant or non-operational storefronts, closed businesses, or occupants who refused to answer questions about registering children.

Agents were seen at the site on April 28, 2026, amid the broader operation that raided more than 20 locations, including childcare facilities, in Minneapolis.