FBI investigating Minnesota fraud scheme, director says

WASHINGTON, Dec 28 (Reuters) - The FBI has deployed personnel and investigative resources to Minnesota to "dismantle large-scale fraud schemes exploiting federal programs," Director Kash Patel said on Sunday on social media.

The Trump administration in recent weeks has portrayed Minnesota's Somali immigrant community as a hotspot for fraud involving millions of federal dollars intended for social services. Most people charged in major fraud cases announced recently in Minnesota are of Somali descent, CBS News reported, citing the U.S. Attorney's Office for Minnesota.

U.S. President Donald Trump, a Republican, has cited those investigations in criticism of the Somali diaspora and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who was the Democratic nominee for vice president in the 2024 election.

The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for further details about Patel's comment. Walz's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The comments come two days after an online report documented allegedly inactive daycare facilities that had received public funds. U.S. Representative Tom Emmer, a Minnesota Republican, shared the video in a Friday social media post asking for a response from Walz. Vice President JD Vance shared the report with his X followers the next day.