A man accused of playing a central role in one of the largest COVID-19 relief fraud schemes in the United States has been arrested in Somalia after more than four years as a fugitive, according to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and federal prosecutors.
Abdikerm Eidleh, 42, was apprehended on Thursday during a joint operation involving the FBI and Somali intelligence agencies in Mogadishu.
His arrest marks a major breakthrough in the long-running investigation into the alleged theft of approximately $250 million from the U.S.-funded Feeding Our Future programme, which was established to provide meals to children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eidleh was indicted in September 2022 alongside dozens of other suspects accused of orchestrating the massive fraud. U.S. authorities describe him as one of the key figures behind the scheme.
Speaking after the arrest, U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Daniel Rosen described Eidleh as a senior leader in the fraud network.
“This is a big fish,” Rosen said, adding that investigators believe Eidleh was responsible for recruiting businesses into the scheme and facilitating the payment of bribes that enabled the alleged fraud to continue.
According to prosecutors, Eidleh served as the second-in-command to Aimee Bock, founder of Feeding Our Future, who was recently sentenced to more than 40 years in prison after being convicted for her role in the scandal.
Investigators allege the network submitted fraudulent claims for meals that were never served, diverting millions of dollars intended to feed vulnerable children during the pandemic.
“Sources familiar with the investigation allege that Eidleh invested in real estate in Kenya and Somalia. However, the claim has not been confirmed by the FBI or the U.S. Department of Justice.”
Some of the reported investments include residential and commercial properties while evading arrest
However, U.S. authorities have not publicly disclosed whether those Kenyan investments have been formally linked to proceeds from the alleged fraud or whether any recovery efforts are underway.
Following his arrest, Eidleh is expected to face extradition proceedings before being transferred to the United States to answer the charges against him.
The arrest is expected to strengthen ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to recover stolen public funds and dismantle international networks involved in large-scale financial crimes.