Scheme using children to fund terrorism uncovered

Make sure to let us know what you think... we now have comments turned ON below the article!

It has long been known that various terrorist groups devise schemes to obtain funds for their activity that sometimes seem legitimate and other times involve fraud.

A recent investigative report by journalists in Minnesota uncovered a scheme involving daycare centers that defrauded the U.S. government of millions of dollars that likely were funneled to al-Shabaab terrorists in Somalia.

According to Conservative Review, the scheme was first uncovered five years ago when local Minneapolis media outlet Fox 9 revealed how daycare centers were fraudulently obtaining government subsidies to care for children who often were never actually cared for in the centers.

The scheme was fairly widespread and may have cost the state upwards of $100 million per year.

At least 10 daycare centers are currently under investigation for involvement in the fraud, and others are suspected of participating as well.

Once the subsidy money was received by the centers, and after participants and parents were given small kickbacks, the cash was bundled in $1 million increments and flown out of the country in suitcases on a near-weekly basis.

That money would eventually end up in areas of Somalia controlled by the al-Shabaab terrorist group, formerly affiliated with Al Qaeda but more recently aligned with the Islamic State group.

The funds were typically funneled through what are known as “Hawalas,” described by Fox 9 as “businesses used to courier money to countries that have no official banking system.”

A retired Seattle police detective named Glen Kerns, who worked with a federal terrorism task force for 15 years, tracked some of the money from the U.S. to Somalia and discovered where it ended up under al-Shabaab control himself.

He stated that it was “absolutely” likely that at least some of the funds were used to finance illicit terrorism operations, based on information obtained from “good sources, from the community leaders” he spoke with during his investigation.

[show_poll poll_id=189]

“My personal opinion is we need a nationwide task force to clamp down on this type of fraud,” stated Kerns.

We couldn’t agree more, and suspect this and other types of terrorism-financing fraud aren’t confined solely to Minnesota, but are taking place all across the country.

216 Responses

  1. Thanks for another informative blog. Where else could I get that kind of information written in such a perfect way? I’ve a project that I’m just now working on, and I’ve been on the look out for such info.

  2. Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed! Very helpful info particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such information a lot. I was looking for this certain info for a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.

  3. My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find a lot of your post’s to be exactly I’m looking for. Do you offer guest writers to write content in your case? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on a few of the subjects you write related to here. Again, awesome website!

  4. Hmm it seems like your website ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any suggestions for beginner blog writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.

  5. Thanks for some other informative blog. Where else could I get that type of information written in such an ideal means? I’ve a undertaking that I am just now operating on, and I have been on the look out for such info.

  6. Yesterday, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a 40 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!

  7. Aw, this was a really nice post. In concept I want to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and precise effort to make a very good article… however what can I say… I procrastinate alot and by no means seem to get something done.

  8. Thanks for some other great article. The place else may anyone get that type of information in such an ideal method of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I am on the search for such information.

  9. This is the correct weblog for anyone who needs to search out out about this topic. You notice a lot its nearly arduous to argue with you (not that I truly would wantHaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Great stuff, simply great!

  10. Does your site have a contact page? I’m having a tough time locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an e-mail. I’ve got some ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it improve over time.

  11. I’m not sure why but this website is loading extremely slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.

  12. Hi! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog. Is it tough to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any tips or suggestions? Many thanks

  13. Hello there, You’ve done an incredible job. I’ll certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this website.

  14. Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive learn something like this before. So nice to search out anyone with some original ideas on this subject. realy thank you for beginning this up. this web site is one thing that’s needed on the web, somebody with somewhat originality. useful job for bringing one thing new to the web!

  15. But a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw great style. “Justice is always violent to the party offending, for every man is innocent in his own eyes.” by Daniel Defoe.

  16. Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your site, how could i subscribe for a blog website? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea

  17. I was curious if you ever considered changing the page layout of your website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?

  18. It is really a nice and useful piece of information. I am satisfied that you simply shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Popular