- There is a financial network in Minnesota that supports the Somali community, primarily through hawala money transfer systems.
- Hawala systems are informal money transfer networks that are often used for their quick and low-cost services, especially in communities where formal banking options may be limited.
- Reports indicate that this financial network is potentially involved in welfare fraud schemes amounting to $1 billion.
- Federal authorities have launched an investigation into these schemes to understand their scope and the possible misuse of funds.
- The investigation is focusing on whether the hawala transfers are vulnerable to, or being exploited by, terrorist groups like al-Shabaab.
- Concerns have been raised about the potential for these money transfer systems to inadvertently support terrorist financing.
- Authorities are working to balance the need for efficient money transfer systems for the Somali community against the threat of financial exploitation by criminal entities.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/minnesota-investigation-shadowy-money-system-somalis-rely-terrorists-can-exploit)
